Old Fashioned Spaghetti Sauce

Discover the comforting, rich flavors of this Old Fashioned Spaghetti Sauce—your new go-to recipe for homemade Italian goodness. Made with a hearty blend of ground beef and Italian sausage, this sauce is slow-simmered to perfection with crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and a medley of aromatic herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme. The addition of sautéed onions, garlic, and a touch of sugar creates a balanced depth of flavor, while bay leaves and a hint of red pepper flakes (optional) add a fragrant, savory kick. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a slow 2-hour simmer, this classic spaghetti sauce is perfect for cozy family dinners or meal prepping. Serve over your favorite pasta and top with freshly grated Parmesan for a dinner that’s undeniably satisfying and authentically homemade.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
• 4 whole garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 15 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 cup water
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 whole bay leaves

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Mix well until fully combined.

Step 6

Add the sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir to evenly distribute the seasonings.

Step 7

Toss in the bay leaves and stir in the chopped parsley.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Step 9

After cooking, remove the bay leaves and discard them.

Step 10

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if needed.

Step 11

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2575.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2627.5

Total Fat 189.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 63.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 473.4mg	0%
Sodium 5070.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 121.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.8g	0%
Total Sugars 69.4g
Protein 130.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 427.4mg	0%
Iron 23.1mg	0%
Potassium 5388.3mg	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: 62.9%

Protein: 19.2%

Carbs: 17.9%