The Godfather's Spaghetti Sauce

Transport your taste buds to the heart of Italy with "The Godfather's Spaghetti Sauce," a rich and hearty recipe that delivers old-world flavor with every bite. This slow-simmered masterpiece combines tender ground beef, fragrant aromatics, and a luscious tomato base, enhanced by a splash of bold red wine and a medley of Italian herbs. A touch of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, while fresh parsley and torn basil leaves are added at the end to brighten the sauce. Perfect for generously coating spaghetti or your favorite pasta, this deeply savory sauce pairs beautifully with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. With its robust flavors, this classic sauce is sure to become a beloved family favorite for Sunday dinners or any occasion that calls for comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium-sized yellow onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small carrot, finely grated
• 1 stalk celery, finely diced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 cup dry red wine
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth or water
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 4 leaves fresh basil leaves, torn
• 0 to taste Parmesan cheese, grated (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the diced onion and sauté for 5–7 minutes until soft and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, grated carrot, and diced celery. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are fragrant and softened.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until browned, about 5–7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

Step 5

Pour in the red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until reduced slightly.

Step 6

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

Step 7

Add the dried oregano, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir to incorporate the spices into the sauce.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low, partially cover the pot with a lid, and let the sauce simmer gently for 60–75 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a bit more broth or water to reach your desired consistency.

Step 9

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

Step 10

Stir in the fresh parsley and torn basil leaves during the last 5 minutes of cooking for a burst of fresh flavor.

Step 11

Serve the sauce hot over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta, and top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1945.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1848.8

Total Fat 126.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 324.1mg	0%
Sodium 4680.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 85.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.2g	0%
Total Sugars 50.7g
Protein 94.7g	0%

Vitamin D 2IU	0%
Calcium 453.1mg	0%
Iron 17.4mg	0%
Potassium 4921.5mg	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: 61.2%

Protein: 20.4%

Carbs: 18.4%