My Grandmothers Famous Spaghetti Sauce

Indulge in the rich, savory flavors of "My Grandmother's Famous Spaghetti Sauce," a timeless recipe crafted with love and perfected over generations. This hearty sauce combines the robust flavors of ground beef and Italian sausage with a medley of perfectly balanced herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme. Slowly simmered for hours, the sauce develops a deep, complex flavor with hints of sweetness from granulated sugar and a touch of spice from red pepper flakes. Made with a trio of crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tangy tomato sauce, this recipe delivers a luscious texture that clings beautifully to spaghetti noodles. Whether you're preparing a comforting Sunday dinner or hosting a family gathering, this classic homemade spaghetti sauce is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Don't forget to top it off with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan for the ultimate Italian experience! Perfect for meal prep or freezing, this authentic dish will make every mealtime unforgettable.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large, finely chopped yellow onion
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 pound Italian sausage
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 15 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 bay leaves
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

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

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, being careful not to burn it.

Step 4

Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot. Cook until browned, breaking the meat up with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess grease if necessary.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water.

Step 6

Add the sugar, basil, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together well.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low.

Step 8

Cover the pot partially with a lid and let the sauce simmer for 1.5–2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.

Step 9

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings if needed.

Step 10

Remove the bay leaves before serving.

Step 11

Stir in the chopped parsley just before serving for a fresh burst of flavor.

Step 12

Serve over cooked spaghetti noodles, and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2532.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2577.6

Total Fat 176.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 57.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.2g
Cholesterol 482.5mg	0%
Sodium 7219.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 131.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 28.2g	0%
Total Sugars 84.7g
Protein 141.4g	0%

Vitamin D 90.7IU	0%
Calcium 482.2mg	0%
Iron 24.6mg	0%
Potassium 6547.5mg	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: 59.3%

Protein: 21.1%

Carbs: 19.6%