Chia's Spaghetti Sauce for a Crowd

Transform your next gathering into an Italian-inspired feast with Chia's Spaghetti Sauce for a Crowd! This hearty and flavorful recipe combines tender ground beef, savory Italian sausage, and a rich tomato base infused with aromatic garlic, onions, and a medley of classic Italian herbs. Perfectly slow-simmered over two hours, this crowd-pleasing sauce develops a depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with any pasta. With notes of sweetness from a hint of sugar and a touch of spice from crushed red pepper flakes, this versatile sauce suits palates of all kinds. Ideal for feeding up to 20 hungry guests, it’s the ultimate go-to recipe for potlucks, parties, or cozy family dinners. Serve it over spaghetti, garnish with fresh herbs, and prepare to impress with this rustic, homemade masterpiece!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:140 mins

Servings: 20

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large onion, finely chopped
• 6 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
• 56 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 28 ounces diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 cups water or broth
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 whole bay leaves
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish

Directions

Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add onions and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5–7 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot. Cook while breaking the meat apart with a spoon until browned and cooked through, about 8–10 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and water or broth.

Step 6

Add the sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, dried parsley, salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and bay leaves. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to allow the flavors to develop.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaves before serving. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 9

Serve over cooked spaghetti or any pasta of your choice. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil for a burst of color and flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4844.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4692.5

Total Fat 338.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 120.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 946.8mg	0%
Sodium 9962.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 204.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 43.1g	0%
Total Sugars 121.4g
Protein 251.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 875.0mg	0%
Iron 44.6mg	0%
Potassium 10313.3mg	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: 62.6%

Protein: 20.7%

Carbs: 16.8%