Portly Spaghetti Sauce

Indulge in the bold, comforting flavors of Portly Spaghetti Sauce, a rich and hearty recipe that transforms your pasta nights into a true Italian-inspired feast. This robust sauce features a savory blend of browned ground beef, fragrant garlic, and sautéed onions simmered together with crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth for a depth of flavor that’s simply irresistible. Enhanced with classic Italian herbs like basil and oregano, a hint of sugar to balance acidity, and a touch of optional red pepper flakes for gentle heat, this sauce is slow-simmered to perfection in just 45 minutes. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a generous grating of Parmesan cheese, it’s the ultimate comfort food that pairs beautifully with spaghetti or any pasta of your choice. Perfect for cozy family dinners or meal prep, Portly Spaghetti Sauce is a satisfying, crowd-pleasing recipe you’ll return to again and again.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1.5 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 0 Parmesan cheese, grated (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the pot, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

Step 5

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

Step 6

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

Step 7

Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover partially with a lid and let simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or herbs as needed.

Step 9

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

Step 10

Serve the hearty sauce over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1696.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1758.1

Total Fat 124.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 41.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 324.1mg	0%
Sodium 4654.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 73.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.1g	0%
Total Sugars 46.1g
Protein 94.9g	0%

Vitamin D 30.1IU	0%
Calcium 453.0mg	0%
Iron 19.1mg	0%
Potassium 4529.0mg	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: 62.4%

Protein: 21.1%

Carbs: 16.5%