Everyone needs this delicious Homemade Spaghetti and Meat Sauce recipe!
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce This easy spaghetti recipe with meat sauce takes just a few minutes of prep and then a low simmer on the stove for a deep, meaty-flavored, homemade spaghetti for the best family favorite dinner. It’s is a simple and classic recipe that can be used in so many different ways! This sauce has ground beef and is simmered in a zesty seasoned tomato sauce for the perfect spaghetti topper!
This spaghetti and meat sauce recipe doesn’t call for anything special. Just simple ingredients that all cook together perfectly.
- Ground Beef. I use 85% Lean Ground Angus Beef for my sauce so it still has flavor but not a lot of fat. My sister has taken to using ground turkey, which is also a great option.
- Tomato sauce. Plain is best to create a tomato bath for the other ingredients to infuse.
- Diced tomatoes. You could also use canned whole tomatoes and then crush with your hands and fingers.
- Fresh tomatoes. I love using fresh tomatoes as well which adds to the rich flavors.
- Tomato paste. This gives the sauce it’s body, and also a little sweetness.
- Beef broth. Another layer of meatiness. My sister amended her recipe to use condensed, but I like to use regular.
- Canned mushrooms. Typically I will always use fresh mushrooms in recipes, but this is one time I ever, ever, ever do. There’s just something about the canned version that becomes my favorite part of the sauce, and the reason I typically double the amount the recipe calls for.
- A splash of wine. Mom says to use the empty mushroom can as your measurement guide.
- Onion, celery, and fresh garlic. They’re always lolling around the refrigerator crisper and waiting to be used.
- Dried herbs, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of sugar for sweetness. Don’t skip out on the bay leaves, they make a huge difference.
How to Make Spaghetti Sauce
Truly fantastic homemade spaghetti sauce is easier to make than you’d think, but it does take time. To make the best spaghetti sauce, you simply need to brown the ground beef and drain off any excess fat. Then, throw in the chopped celery, onion, and garlic and cook until the vegetables soften. So far, so good?
Dump the rest of the homemade pasta sauce ingredients into the pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Once the spaghetti sauce is boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer on the stove for another 3 hours. I know 3 hours sounds like forever, but that’s how long it takes to make a rich, flavorful meat sauce. But, if you’re in a rush like I am, then you can enjoy it after 45 minutes. It just won’t have the deep rich flavor as 3 hours does. Once the homemade spaghetti sauce has had time to simmer, all that’s left to do is to boil the spaghetti noodles according to package instructions and dish it up!
How to Thicken Spaghetti Sauce
The easiest way to thicken a spaghetti meat sauce is to let it continue to simmer on a low heat (uncovered) until the fluids evaporate a little more. You can make a cornstarch slurry (equal parts cornstarch/water) and add a little at a time but for the best flavor, just let it simmer.
Homemade Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
4
servings30
minutes40
minutes300
kcalIngredients
1 pound 85% lean ground beef
1 yellow onion chopped
4 garlic cloves minced or pressed
2- 29- ounce can diced tomatoes
1 29- ounce can tomato sauce
1 6- ounce can tomato paste
2 7- ounce cans sliced mushrooms
1 cup red wine
1 15- ounce can beef broth
5-6 whole cloves
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or 4 teaspoons dried
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound dried spaghetti noodles
grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
- In a large heavy bottomed stock pot over medium high heat, cook the ground beef until browned, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain the rendered fat and add the meat back to the pot.
Add the chopped onion, celery and garlic and cook until the vegetables soften, about 5-7 more minutes.- Add the rest of the ingredients (except the spaghtti noodles and Parmesan), stir, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer, stir and cover with a lid, and cook for at least three hours on medium low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions in generously salted water. Drain and mix into the spaghetti sauce.
- Serve with grated or ground Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired.
