Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (Alternatively, use 1/2 lb ground Italian sausage and 1/2 lb ground beef.)
• salt and freshly ground black pepper (To taste.)
• 1 medium onion (Chopped.)
• 15 oz tomato sauce
• 6 oz tomato paste
• 0.5 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
• 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves (Chopped; optional and added before serving.)
• spaghetti noodles (For serving.)

Steps

1. 1

   Season the ground beef with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

2. 2

   Heat a large skillet over suitable cooking heat, add the seasoned beef and chopped onion, and brown them together. Chop the beef finely as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.

3. 3

   Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, dried parsley flakes, garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, Worcestershire sauce, and granulated sugar to the skillet.

4. 4

   Stir well to combine the ingredients and bring the sauce to a boil.

5. 5

   Add the water and stir well.

6. 6

   Reduce the heat and simmer the sauce for 30 minutes.

7. 7

   If desired, chop the fresh basil leaves and add them to the sauce before serving.

8. 8

   Serve the sauce with spaghetti noodles.

Notes

The sauce can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days. To freeze, cool it completely, place it in a labeled gallon freezer bag, freeze it flat, and store for up to 4–6 months. Reheat frozen sauce in a pot on the stove until warm. The author also notes that pulsing the browned meat once or twice in a food processor can make the sauce extra smooth, though some people prefer larger pieces of meat.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• sauce
• American
• stovetop
• make-ahead
• freezer-friendly
• family dinner