Skip to content 
Rich, savory, and simmered with simple pantry ingredients, this homemade spaghetti sauce is the kind of comforting dinner that makes a bowl of pasta feel extra satisfying. Spoon it generously over hot spaghetti, add fresh basil if you like, and you have an easy family meal on the table in just 40 minutes.
There’s something especially comforting about a pot of tomato sauce bubbling away on the stove. The beef and onion make it hearty, tomato paste gives the sauce richness, and Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce build plenty of savory flavor without requiring a long ingredient list.
That simplicity is what makes this recipe so useful. Most of the ingredients are everyday staples, the prep takes just 10 minutes, and after everything is combined, the sauce only needs 30 minutes to simmer. It’s an easy one to reach for when you want a cozy homemade pasta dinner without spending the entire evening in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s an easy weeknight dinner. With 10 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking, this spaghetti sauce delivers homemade flavor without turning dinner into a big project.
It uses simple ingredients. Ground beef, onion, canned tomato sauce, tomato paste, dried herbs, and seasonings do most of the work here. There’s a good chance you already have several of them in your kitchen.
It’s rich and hearty. The ground beef makes the sauce substantial, while tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, herbs, and seasonings give the tomato base more depth.
You can make it your way. Use all ground beef or the recipe’s combination of ground beef and Italian sausage. Add crushed red pepper to taste, and finish with fresh basil if you have it.
It’s great for more than spaghetti. Once you know how to make the sauce, you can use it for spaghetti pie, Million Dollar Spaghetti, Slow Cooker Lasagna, or Instant Pot Spaghetti too.
Spaghetti Sauce Ingredients
You only need a handful of familiar ingredients to make this hearty homemade spaghetti sauce. Here’s what each one brings to the recipe:
- Ground Beef – This gives the sauce its hearty, savory base. You can use 1 pound of ground beef, or use the recipe’s option of half ground beef and half ground Italian sausage for extra flavor.
- Salt and Black Pepper – For seasoning the ground beef and bringing out its savory flavor. Add both to taste.
- Onion – Chopped onion cooks right along with the beef, adding a subtle sweetness and plenty of flavor to the sauce.
- Tomato Sauce – This makes up the main tomato base of the spaghetti sauce and gives it a smooth consistency.
- Tomato Paste – A little tomato paste makes the sauce richer and gives it a deeper, more concentrated tomato flavor.
- Italian Seasoning – An easy way to add classic Italian herb flavor without needing several individual dried herbs.
- Dried Parsley Flakes – These add another mild layer of herby flavor to the tomato sauce.
- Garlic Powder – For that savory garlic flavor that works so well with the tomatoes, beef, and herbs.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes – Add these to taste for a little warmth and heat. Use less for a mild sauce or more if you like some spice.
- Worcestershire Sauce – This adds a savory depth that complements the ground beef and makes the sauce taste a little richer.
- Granulated Sugar – A small amount of sugar balances the acidity of the tomato sauce and tomato paste.
- Water – This loosens the tomato mixture and gives the sauce the right consistency as it simmers.
- Fresh Basil Leaves – Optional, but lovely stirred in before serving for a fresh basil finish.
- Spaghetti Noodles – For serving with plenty of that warm, meaty tomato sauce spooned over the top.
Step-by-Step Instructions
First, season the beef. Season ground beef with salt and pepper.
Next, brown the beef and onion. In a large skillet, add the beef and chopped onion and brown. Drain excess grease.
Build the sauce. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, worcestershire, and sugar to the skillet.
Add the water. Stir well to combine and bring to a boil. Add water and stir well.
Let it simmer. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add chopped basil before serving, if desired.
Put the sauce to good use. This sauce tastes great in Spaghetti Pie, Million Dollar Spaghetti, Slow Cooker Lasagna and Instant Pot Spaghetti.
Expert Tips
A few small details can help you get the most out of this simple sauce.
Drain the excess grease. Once the beef and onion are browned, remove the extra grease as directed before adding the tomato ingredients. This helps keep the finished sauce hearty without making it overly oily.
Give everything a good stir. Tomato paste is thick, so take a moment to thoroughly combine it with the tomato sauce, meat, herbs, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings.
Keep the sauce at a simmer. After bringing everything to a boil and adding the water, lower the heat and let the sauce gently simmer for the full 30 minutes.
Adjust the spice to your taste. Crushed red pepper flakes don’t have a fixed measurement in this recipe, so you can keep the sauce mild or give it a little more heat.
Save the basil for the finish. If you’re using the optional fresh basil, add it before serving as directed.
Recipe Variations
One of the nice things about this recipe is that a few variations are already built right into the ingredient list.
For a classic version, use 1 pound ground beef. For a little Italian sausage flavor, use the alternative combination of ½ lb ground Italian sausage and ½ lb ground beef.
You can also control the heat with the crushed red pepper flakes. Use just a little for a mild sauce or increase them to taste if you enjoy more spice.
Fresh basil is optional, too. Add the 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves before serving for a fresh herbal finish, or leave them out and enjoy the sauce as is.
For a gluten-free adaptation, use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and gluten-free spaghetti noodles.
Storage & Reheating
This is a handy sauce to make ahead, especially if you like having an easy pasta dinner waiting for you later in the week.
Store the sauce in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. If you’d like to keep it longer, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe bag. Laying the bag flat while it freezes makes it easier to store once solid.
The sauce can be frozen for 4 to 6 months. When you’re ready to use it, place the frozen sauce in a pot and reheat it on the stovetop until warm.
Serving Suggestions
For the simplest dinner, pile the sauce over hot spaghetti noodles and finish with the optional fresh basil. Add some crusty bread or breadsticks alongside it for scooping up any sauce left in the bowl.
A fresh salad also makes a nice contrast to the rich meat and tomato sauce. Try a simple green salad, tomato cucumber salad, or classic wedge salad for an easy complete meal.
And don’t stop at spaghetti. This sauce can become the starting point for another comforting dinner, including Spaghetti Pie, Million Dollar Spaghetti, Slow Cooker Lasagna, or Instant Pot Spaghetti.
Recipe FAQs
1. Can I make the spaghetti sauce ahead of time?
Yes, this is an easy sauce to make ahead. Let it cool after cooking, then store it covered in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready for dinner, warm it in a pot on the stove and serve with freshly cooked spaghetti.
2. Can I use Italian sausage instead of ground beef?
Yes. You can use 1 pound ground beef, or make it with ½ lb ground Italian sausage and ½ lb ground beef. The sausage adds a little more savory flavor while still keeping plenty of that classic ground beef texture.
3. What if my spaghetti sauce gets too thick?
If the sauce thickens more than you’d like while simmering, you can loosen it with a little water. Add a small amount at a time and stir until the sauce is the consistency you like. You still want it thick enough to coat those spaghetti noodles!
4. Do I have to use the crushed red pepper flakes?
No, you can easily adjust them to taste. Use just a pinch if you want a little warmth, add more if you like some heat, or leave them out for a milder spaghetti sauce.
5. Can I freeze homemade spaghetti sauce?
Yes, this sauce freezes really well. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer bag and freeze for 4 to 6 months. I like the idea of freezing the bag flat so it takes up less freezer space. When you’re ready to use the sauce, place it in a pot and reheat on the stove until warm.
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef, (or ½ lb ground Italian sausage and ½ lb ground beef)
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp dried parsley flakes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, (optional)
- spaghetti noodles, for serving
Instructions
- Add salt and pepper to the ground beef.
- Place the beef and chopped onion in a large skillet and cook until the meat is browned. Drain away the excess grease.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar.
- Mix everything thoroughly and bring the sauce to a boil. Pour in the water and stir again until combined.
- Lower the heat and allow the sauce to simmer for 30 minutes. If using the fresh basil, chop it and stir it in before serving.
- Serve with spaghetti noodles. The finished sauce can also be used in dishes such as spaghetti pie, baked spaghetti, slow-cooker lasagna, or pressure-cooker spaghetti.
.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Calories: 303kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 814mg | Potassium: 948mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 885IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 4mg
