Don's Favorite Spaghetti Sauce

Discover the ultimate crowd-pleaser with Don's Favorite Spaghetti Sauce, a hearty and flavorful recipe that will elevate your pasta nights. This rich, slow-simmered sauce combines tender ground beef and zesty Italian sausage with the perfect balance of crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and aromatic seasonings like basil, oregano, and parsley. Hints of garlic, onion, and red pepper flakes add depth, while a pinch of sugar highlights the natural sweetness of the tomatoes. Simmered to perfection in just 90 minutes, it's an ideal choice for cozy family dinners or entertaining guests. Serve over your favorite pasta and garnish with fresh basil for a restaurant-quality finish. Perfect for anyone searching for a homemade spaghetti sauce recipe that’s easy, savory, and irresistibly satisfying!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground Italian sausage
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 15 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 cup water
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 leaves bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional garnish)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.

Step 4

Add the ground beef and ground Italian sausage to the pot. Cook for 7-10 minutes, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water, mixing well to combine.

Step 6

Add the dried basil, dried oregano, dried parsley, red pepper flakes, sugar, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together.

Step 7

Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot, leaving a small gap for steam to escape, and simmer for 60-90 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 8

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed (add more salt or pepper to preference).

Step 9

Remove the bay leaves before serving.

Step 10

Serve the spaghetti sauce over your favorite cooked pasta and garnish with fresh chopped basil, if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2707.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3175.5

Total Fat 233.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 78.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 623.1mg	0%
Sodium 7681.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 123.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.8g	0%
Total Sugars 71.3g
Protein 168.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 611.0mg	0%
Iron 27.5mg	0%
Potassium 7061.2mg	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: 64.3%

Protein: 20.6%

Carbs: 15.1%