Mama's Spaghetti Sauce with Italian Sausage

Rich, robust, and packed with hearty flavors, Mama's Spaghetti Sauce with Italian Sausage is the ultimate comfort food for pasta lovers. This homemade recipe combines perfectly seasoned mild Italian sausage, sautéed onions, and fragrant garlic in a luscious base of crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. A medley of dried herbs—oregano, basil, and thyme—infuses the sauce with authentic Italian flair, while a touch of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes. Slowly simmered to perfection, this sauce has a depth of flavor that makes every bite unforgettable. Serve it over al dente spaghetti for a classic weeknight dinner or family gathering. Garnish with fresh parsley for an aromatic finishing touch, and prepare to savor a meal that's comforting, flavorful, and irresistibly satisfying.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound mild Italian sausage links
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 6 ounces canned tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1.5 cups water
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• 16 ounces spaghetti pasta

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Remove the casing from the Italian sausage and break it into small chunks. Brown the sausage in the pot until cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pot, add the diced onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Mix well to combine.

Step 6

Add the browned sausage back into the pot along with the oregano, basil, thyme, salt, black pepper, sugar, and water. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Lower the heat to medium-low, cover partially with a lid, and allow the sauce to cook for 60-75 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 8

Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 9

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed (add more salt, pepper, or sugar based on your taste preference).

Step 10

Serve the spaghetti topped with the sauce and garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2400.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3463.8

Total Fat 135.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 36.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 266.8mg	0%
Sodium 4695.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 456.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 43.1g	0%
Total Sugars 87.1g
Protein 140.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 558.2mg	0%
Iron 32.9mg	0%
Potassium 6072.0mg	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: 33.7%

Protein: 15.6%

Carbs: 50.7%