Janet's Favorite Spaghetti Sauce

Bring the heartwarming flavors of comfort food to your table with Janet's Favorite Spaghetti Sauce, a classic recipe brimming with rich, homemade goodness. This sauce starts with a fragrant base of sautéed onion and garlic, enhanced by optional browned ground beef for added depth. A harmonious blend of crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and aromatic herbs like basil and oregano creates a robust tomato flavor, balanced by a touch of sugar and a pinch of red pepper flakes for subtle heat. Simmered to perfection in just under an hour, this versatile sauce is finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a bright, fresh finish. Perfect for serving over your favorite pasta, this family-friendly recipe makes enough for leftovers, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Simple, flavorful, and endlessly satisfying—this spaghetti sauce will quickly become a staple in your kitchen!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

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

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the chopped onion and sauté until transparent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 4

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

Step 5

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

Step 6

Add the dried basil, dried oregano, sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well.

Step 7

Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 9

Before serving, stir in the fresh parsley for a burst of freshness.

Step 10

Serve over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1828.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1782.6

Total Fat 121.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 40.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 362.9mg	0%
Sodium 2886.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 90.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.6g	0%
Total Sugars 53.0g
Protein 93.7g	0%

Vitamin D 31.8IU	0%
Calcium 361.0mg	0%
Iron 22.4mg	0%
Potassium 4927.0mg	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: 59.8%

Protein: 20.5%

Carbs: 19.7%