Grandma Gozzi's Spaghetti Sauce

Experience the timeless comfort of 'Grandma Gozzi's Spaghetti Sauce,' a savory, slow-simmered masterpiece that captures the heart of traditional Italian cooking. This rich, flavorful sauce combines aromatic onions and garlic sautéed in olive oil with hand-crushed canned tomatoes, a touch of tomato paste, and a blend of classic Italian herbs like oregano and basil. The optional addition of ground beef adds a hearty depth, while a hint of sugar balances the acidity for the perfect harmony of flavors. Infused with bay leaves and finished with fresh parsley, this sauce thickens to perfection after two hours of gentle simmering, making it an irresistible companion to spaghetti or your favorite pasta. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a cozy, comforting meal bursting with authentic flavor. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this homemade spaghetti sauce will quickly become your go-to recipe. Keywords: Grandma Gozzi's Spaghetti Sauce, traditional Italian sauce, homemade spaghetti sauce, slow-simmered pasta sauce, classic pasta recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:140 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground beef (optional, for a meat sauce)
• 2 cans canned whole peeled tomatoes (28 oz)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 leaves bay leaves
• 1 cup water
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3

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

Step 4

If using ground beef, add it to the pot and cook until browned, breaking it up into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 5

Add the canned whole tomatoes, crushing them by hand as you add them to the pot, along with their juices.

Step 6

Stir in the tomato paste, sugar, oregano, basil, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, pepper, parsley, and bay leaves.

Step 7

Pour in the water to thin the sauce slightly and ensure even cooking.

Step 8

Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Simmer the sauce for at least 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 9

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or sugar if desired.

Step 10

Remove the bay leaves before serving. Ladle the sauce over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta.

Step 11

Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and additional chopped parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2706.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2339.4

Total Fat 154.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 62.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 458.1mg	0%
Sodium 7720.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 100.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.6g	0%
Total Sugars 59.7g
Protein 142.7g	0%

Vitamin D 31.8IU	0%
Calcium 1816.2mg	0%
Iron 22.7mg	0%
Potassium 4910.8mg	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: 58.8%

Protein: 24.2%

Carbs: 17.0%