Italian Spaghetti Sauce by Audrey M

Discover the bold, comforting flavors of "Italian Spaghetti Sauce by Audrey M," a homemade pasta sauce recipe that brings authentic Italian cuisine straight to your kitchen. This savory sauce features tender ground beef simmered with aromatic onion and garlic, blended with a medley of tomatoes — crushed, pureed, and paste — for a rich, velvety texture. Infused with fragrant herbs like basil, parsley, and Italian seasoning, and accented by fennel seeds and optional red pepper flakes for a hint of heat, this sauce achieves the perfect balance of sweetness and depth. Slow-cooked to perfection for two hours, it develops a robust flavor that elevates any pasta dish. Perfect for family dinners or meal prepping, this easy-to-make recipe serves eight and is ideal for pairing with spaghetti, fresh Parmesan, and a sprinkle of basil. Your search for the ultimate homemade spaghetti sauce ends here!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 15 ounces tomato sauce
• 1.5 cups water
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into crumbles with a wooden spoon, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3

Add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.

Step 4

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

Step 5

Add the sugar, dried basil, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, salt, ground black pepper, parsley, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir to incorporate the seasonings evenly.

Step 6

Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and allow it to simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

Taste the sauce during cooking and adjust seasonings as desired. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water to reach your desired consistency.

Step 8

Serve hot over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2375.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1837.9

Total Fat 118.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 37.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 321.1mg	0%
Sodium 5482.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 117.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.6g	0%
Total Sugars 75.7g
Protein 99.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 461.7mg	0%
Iron 23.8mg	0%
Potassium 5727.7mg	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: 55.0%

Protein: 20.6%

Carbs: 24.4%