Grandma's Spaghetti Sauce

Transport your taste buds to the heart of Italy with Grandma's Spaghetti Sauce, a rich and hearty recipe brimming with nostalgic flavors. This homemade sauce begins with a fragrant base of sautéed onions and garlic, enhanced by the savory depth of ground beef and Italian sausage. A medley of crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce creates a luscious, slow-simmered blend, perfectly seasoned with dried herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme, along with a hint of crushed red pepper for optional heat. Simmered for hours to allow the flavors to meld, this classic family recipe is the ultimate comfort food, ideal for topping spaghetti or your favorite pasta. With a cook time of two hours, this sauce develops an irresistible depth, making it perfect for cozy family dinners or meal prep. Garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish, and savor every bite of this timeless homemade spaghetti sauce.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

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

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the diced onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until fully browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Mix together until well combined.

Step 6

Add sugar, dried basil, oregano, thyme, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), bay leaves, salt, and black pepper. Stir to incorporate all the seasonings evenly.

Step 7

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially with a lid, and let the sauce simmer for 90-120 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.

Step 9

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if necessary (e.g., more salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar).

Step 10

Remove and discard the bay leaves before serving.

Step 11

Serve the sauce over cooked spaghetti and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2580.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2554.4

Total Fat 176.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 58.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 459.8mg	0%
Sodium 7143.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 132.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 29.9g	0%
Total Sugars 80.5g
Protein 135.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 528.0mg	0%
Iron 25.6mg	0%
Potassium 6459.5mg	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: 59.7%

Protein: 20.4%

Carbs: 19.9%