With winter fast approaching, all I have been craving lately is a steaming bowl of Homemade Spaghetti generously topped with a hearty meat sauce with a side of garlic bread.
This foolproof, easy-to-follow recipe will come together in just 3 simple steps! Above all, this spaghetti sauce is so incredibly delicious and full of garlicky and meaty flavors, I promise that you’ll be running back for seconds!
This is truly the best meat sauce you can make at home with minimal effort, and I hope that you’ll enjoy it as much as I do. Now let’s get cooking!
TO MAKE THIS HOMEMADE SPAGHETTI, YOU WILL NEED
Ground beef:Â I recommend using 80% or 85% lean ground beef as it will give you the most flavorful results. Any other type will also work great as we will be draining the excess grease prior to sauteeing the vegetables.
Olive oil: just a small amount is needed to coat the pot before adding in the beef. If your pot has a non-stick surface, the fat from the beef may be enough to prevent it from sticking.
Onion, garlic, canned or fresh mushrooms, and bell pepper:Â for the vegetables.
Tomato sauce, tomato paste, and beef broth: using beef broth as a base will add a wonderful depth of flavor. If you don’t have any beef broth on hand, you can also use chicken broth, pasta water, or water to thin out the sauce.
Oregano (or Italian seasoning), salt, black pepper, and sugar:Â for the base seasoning. Feel free to adjust or add more seasonings to taste or spice it up by adding some red pepper flakes to the mix.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
HOW DO YOU MAKE THE BEST HOMEMADE SPAGHETTI WITH MEAT SAUCE?
First brown the beef and onion. Chop the ground beef finely as you go. After it’s browned I often like to add it to my food processor to pulse it once or twice so that it’s finely crumbled. It makes the sauce extra smooth (although some people like their spaghettie sauce with larger peices of meat in it)
Next, add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, seasonings, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar and bring the mixture to a simmer. Add water and simmer for 30 minutes or longer, to get more depth of flavor. The longer you simmer it, the more the flavors will blend together beautifully.
Serve over a bowl of cooked pasta, and garnish with parmesan cheese and parsley. Enjoy your freshly made Homemade Spaghetti.
RECIPE NOTES AND HELPFUL TIPS:
Simmer the sauce on low and stir regularly:Â To prevent your sauce from burning, please make sure to cook your sauce at a gentle simmer while scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon every 5-10 minutes.
Use a heavy-bottomed pot: Heavy-bottomed pots such as Dutch ovens hold and distribute the heat more evenly and will not burn your food as easily, as they will prevent ‘hot spots’ in which the food will start to stick and burn in one corner.
Adjust the consistency as desired: This recipe will result in a perfectly thick pasta sauce, but if it’s not as thick to your liking, you can easily adjust the consistency without adding more cook time.
Don’t skip out on the sugar: Sugar helps to cut the acidity of the tomatoes which helps to balance out the overall flavors. You can easily adjust the amount to your taste or use sugar substitutes to cater to your dietary preferences.
ESTIMATE NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Yield: 5 | Serving size: 1
Calories: 303kcal | Total Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 814mg | Total Carbohydrates: 16g | Sugar: 11g | Protein: 18g | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 4mg | Potassium: 948mg | Fiber: 3g | Vitamin A: 885IU | Vitamin C: 16mg
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FQAs):
1. What’s The Secret To Making The Best Homemade Spaghetti?
The key to the best Homemade Spaghetti lies in using quality ingredients and taking the time to let the flavors meld together. Don’t rush the cooking process, and let the sauce simmer to perfection.
2. Can I Substitute Ground Turkey For Ground Beef In The Meat Sauce?
Absolutely! Ground turkey can be a delicious and lean alternative to ground beef in the meat sauce. Just be sure to season it well for the best flavor.
3. How Long Does It Take To Make Homemade Spaghetti From Start To Finish?
The total time can vary, but on average, it takes about 30-45 minutes to prepare and cook the sauce, and another 10-15 minutes to boil the spaghetti. So, you can have a delicious homemade meal in under an hour!
4. Can I Freeze The Leftover Sauce?
Yes, you can! Homemade Spaghetti sauce freezes well. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to use, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove.
5. What’s The Perfect Side Dish For Homemade Spaghetti?
Garlic bread is a classic and perfect accompaniment to Homemade Spaghetti. You can also serve it with a side salad for a well-rounded meal.
Let’s Make Sauciest Homemade Spaghetti!
And there you have it – this easy, yummy Homemade Spaghetti is ready to take its place on your table. If you decide to give it a shot, make sure to snap a photo and share it with us on Facebook and Pinterest.
Be sure to follow us for more yummy recipes in the future. Until next time, happy cooking!
Ingredients
- 1 lbs ground beef (or ½ lb ground Italian sausage and ½ lb ground beef)
- salt and freshly ground black pepper , to taste
- 1 medium onion , chopped
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 6 oz tomato paste
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp dried parsley flakes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- crushed red pepper flakes , to taste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves (optional)
- spaghetti noodles , for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Season ground beef with salt and pepper.
Step 2: In a large skillet, add the beef and chopped onion and brown. Drain excess grease.
Step 3: Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, worcestershire, and sugar to the skillet.
Step 4: Stir well to combine and bring to a boil. Add water and stir well.
Step 5: Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add chopped basil before serving, if desired.
Step 6: Serve over a bowl of cooked pasta, and garnish with parmesan cheese and parsley. Enjoy your freshly made Homemade Spaghetti.