My Mom's Very Popular Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

Dive into a bowl of comfort with "My Mom's Very Popular Spaghetti Sauce Recipe," a family favorite perfected over generations. This hearty sauce features a rich medley of ground beef and savory Italian sausage, simmered to perfection with crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and a touch of caramelized tomato paste for depth. Infused with aromatic garlic, onions, and a blend of classic Italian herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley, every spoonful delivers a burst of authentic flavor. A dash of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, while optional red pepper flakes provide a subtle kick. Slowly simmered for two hours, this sauce develops a velvety texture and complex taste that makes it irresistible. Serve it over al dente spaghetti, garnish with fresh parsley, and pair with grated Parmesan for the ultimate crowd-pleasing dinner. Perfect for weeknights or special gatherings, this spaghetti sauce is comfort food at its finest!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 15 ounces canned tomato sauce
• 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 whole bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot, breaking them apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 5

Push the meat to the sides of the pot and add the tomato paste. Cook the paste for 1-2 minutes to caramelize slightly.

Step 6

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and water until fully combined.

Step 7

Add the sugar, dried basil, oregano, parsley, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, black pepper, and the bay leaf. Mix well.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid slightly ajar, and let the sauce simmer for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Step 10

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2748.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2673.6

Total Fat 195.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 65.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.2g
Cholesterol 501.7mg	0%
Sodium 7392.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 123.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 33.0g	0%
Total Sugars 75.4g
Protein 127.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 561.7mg	0%
Iron 24.4mg	0%
Potassium 6979.1mg	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: 63.7%

Protein: 18.5%

Carbs: 17.8%