Quick & Savory Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe for Pasta Night

Crafting a delectable homemade spaghetti sauce brings pure culinary magic to kitchen adventures.

Generations of passionate cooks have perfected this traditional Italian classic through love and dedication.

Rich tomatoes simmer with fragrant herbs, creating layers of incredible depth and complexity.

Robust flavors dance across your palate, promising a memorable dining experience.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference in this simple yet extraordinary recipe.

Each spoonful tells a story of comfort and connection.

You’ll feel like an authentic Italian chef with these carefully selected techniques.

Prepare to embark on a mouthwatering journey that transforms an ordinary meal into something spectacular.

What Makes Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Stand Out

• Perfect for busy home cooks who want restaurant-quality sauce without complex steps.
• Save money by making sauce from basic pantry ingredients instead of buying expensive jarred versions.
• Easily adjust seasonings, spice levels, and sweetness to match your exact taste preferences.
• Prepare a large batch in just 45 minutes and store extra sauce for future quick dinners, making weeknight cooking breeze through with minimal effort.

Ingredients for Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Day

• Olive Oil: Light cooking fat that helps sauté vegetables and provides smooth flavor foundation.
• Onion: Sweet vegetable adding depth and aromatic base to the sauce.
• Garlic: Powerful ingredient providing intense, robust flavor profile.

• Crushed Tomatoes: Primary sauce base with rich, concentrated tomato essence.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds texture and chunky tomato pieces throughout sauce.
• Tomato Paste: Intensifies tomato flavor and helps thicken sauce.

• Dried Oregano: Earthy herb bringing classic Italian Mediterranean taste.
• Dried Basil: Sweet herb contributing traditional Italian sauce character.
• Sugar: Optional ingredient balancing tomato acidity and enhancing overall sweetness.
• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer and seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and subtle spiciness.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient for additional heat and zesty kick.

• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb providing color, freshness, and light herbal notes.

Cooking Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Like a Pro

Step 1: Sauté The Aromatic Base

• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic

Cook onions until they become soft and translucent, releasing their sweet fragrance. Stir garlic and let it dance in the pan until its robust aroma fills your kitchen.

Step 2: Build The Tomato Foundation

• Crushed tomatoes
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Dried oregano
• Dried basil
• Sugar
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything together until the ingredients create a harmonious mixture. Allow the sauce to simmer gently on low heat, letting the flavors mingle and develop depth for about 30 minutes. Occasionally stir to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Elevate The Flavor Profile

• Red pepper flakes for a spicy kick
• Extra sugar for sweetness
• Additional herbs for complexity

Step 4: Finish With Fresh Flair

Remove the sauce from heat when it reaches a thick, luscious consistency. Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top for a vibrant burst of color and brightness. Ladle this homemade sauce over steaming pasta and savor the delicious result of your culinary adventure.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Prep Tips

• Select Fresh Tomatoes: Use ripe, high-quality canned or fresh tomatoes for the richest, most authentic flavor in your homemade sauce.
• Simmer Slowly: Allow the sauce to cook on low heat for at least 30 minutes, which helps develop deeper, more complex taste profiles and allows ingredients to blend perfectly.
• Balance Sweetness: Add a small pinch of sugar to counteract the tomatoes' natural acidity, creating a more rounded and smooth sauce without making it overly sweet.
• Enhance Herb Flavors: Crush dried herbs between your fingers before adding them to release more intense aromatics and maximize their flavor impact in the sauce.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes according to your heat preference, adding gradually to control the sauce's spiciness without overwhelming other delicate flavors.

Preserve Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Without a Mess

• Store leftover sauce in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, ensuring it cools completely before sealing.
• Pour cooled sauce into freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum flavor and quality.
• Thaw frozen sauce in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and maintain smooth consistency.
• Transfer sauce to a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly heated.

What Complements Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

• Choose a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich tomato flavors and cuts through the sauce's acidity with its tannic structure.
• Sprinkle freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano directly on top of the pasta, allowing the salty, sharp cheese to enhance the sauce's depth and provide a creamy texture.
• Toast crusty Italian bread and rub with fresh garlic, then drizzle with olive oil to create a perfect side that soaks up extra sauce and provides a crunchy contrast to the smooth spaghetti.
• Prepare a light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the sauce's richness, adding a fresh, peppery element that cleanses the palate between bites.

New Ideas for Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Flavor

• Veggie Power Sauce: Replace meat with chopped zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms for a hearty vegetarian version packed with nutrients and flavor.
• Low-Sodium Delight: Use no-salt-added tomatoes, reduce salt quantity, and enhance taste with fresh herbs like basil and thyme to create a heart-friendly sauce.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free, especially tomato paste and seasonings, ensuring safe consumption for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Mediterranean Herb Blend: Incorporate fresh rosemary, oregano, and a splash of red wine to transform the traditional sauce into a rich, aromatic Mediterranean-style preparation.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Culinary magic happens when classic Homemade Spaghetti Sauce simmers with rich tomatoes and aromatic herbs. Generations of Italian kitchens whisper their secrets through this hearty, flavorful sauce that connects taste buds to authentic Mediterranean tradition.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Primary Tomato Ingredients:

• 1 can (28 ounces / 800 grams) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (14 ounces / 400 grams) diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Aromatic and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) water or vegetable broth

Optional Garnish Ingredients:

• Fresh basil leaves
• Grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a generously sized pot over medium-low temperature, carefully sautéing diced onions until they transform into a translucent, softened state.
2. Introduce minced garlic to the simmering onions, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the oil, releasing delicate fragrant notes without burning.
3. Pour crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste into the aromatic base, creating a rich, vibrant foundation for the sauce.
4. Sprinkle dried oregano, basil, a touch of sugar, salt, and black pepper into the mixture, gently stirring to distribute seasonings evenly throughout the sauce.
5. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, allowing the sauce to slowly develop depth and complexity, periodically stirring to prevent sticking and ensure consistent flavor integration.
6. After approximately 30 minutes of patient simmering, taste the sauce and calibrate seasonings, potentially adding red pepper flakes for subtle heat or extra sugar to balance acidity.
7. When the sauce has thickened and achieved a harmonious flavor profile, remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous finish.
8. Ladle the luxurious homemade sauce over your preferred pasta, presenting a comforting, authentic culinary experience.

Notes

• Enhance depth by sautéing vegetables like bell peppers or carrots with onions for additional complexity and subtle sweetness.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes, creating a personalized spice profile that suits individual preferences.
• Consider using San Marzano tomatoes for an authentic, rich flavor that elevates the sauce’s overall taste and authenticity.
• Extend storage life by cooling completely and freezing in airtight containers for up to three months, ensuring convenient meal preparation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg