Briana's Zesty Spaghetti Sauce

Briana’s Zesty Spaghetti Sauce is the perfect homemade recipe to elevate your pasta night with a bold and flavorful twist. This hearty sauce combines the robust flavors of ground beef or Italian sausage, aromatic garlic, and finely chopped onions, simmered to perfection in a rich base of crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. A dash of red pepper flakes, a hint of sugar, and a medley of dried herbs like oregano and basil balance the sauce beautifully, while fresh parsley and basil added at the end lend a vibrant finish. Ready in under an hour, this sauce is perfect when served over al dente spaghetti or your favorite pasta, making it a go-to for busy weeknights or casual family dinners. Whether you're meal prepping or serving a crowd, Briana's Zesty Spaghetti Sauce is a delicious way to bring a comforting, homemade touch to your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
• 0.5 cup water or beef broth

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the pan. Cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula. Drain any excess fat, if necessary.

Step 5

Stir in the canned crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and water or beef broth to create the base of the sauce.

Step 6

Add the dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Stir well to combine all the seasonings.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and let the sauce simmer for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Step 8

After simmering, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Step 9

Just before serving, stir in the fresh parsley and fresh basil for a burst of flavor.

Step 10

Serve the sauce over cooked spaghetti or pasta of your choice and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1576.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1573.0

Total Fat 110.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 36.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 301.1mg	0%
Sodium 3685.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 73.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.3g	0%
Total Sugars 46.2g
Protein 90.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 355.8mg	0%
Iron 17.0mg	0%
Potassium 4404.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.2%

Protein: 21.9%

Carbs: 17.9%