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close up photo of spaghetti noodles topped with meat sauce in a bowl
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Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

A family recipe for an easy and delicious homemade spaghetti sauce with a unique southern twist. This is a kid favorite in our house!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 225kcal
Author Amee

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs lean ground beef I use 92% lean
  • ½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion finely chopped
  • 1 green pepper finely chopped
  • 6 stalks celery finely sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 12 oz tomato paste Two 6 oz cans
  • 30 oz tomato sauce Two 15 oz cans
  • 30 oz diced tomatoes Two 15 oz cans
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • fresh cracked pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan or dutch oven on medium heat.
  • Add ground beef, celery, peppers, onion, and garlic and cook until meat is no longer pink, stirring occasionally.
  • Drain fat and return beef mixture to pan.
  • Add all remaining ingredients and bring to a full boil. Stir and reduce heat to low.
  • Partially cover (I prop the lid on sideways to vent and simmer for at least two hours, stirring occasionally. The longer this simmers, the better.
  • Serve with your favorite pasta, spaghetti squash, or spiralized zucchini noodles.

Notes

  • Chop neatly - Dice your veggies roughly the same size to get a consistent blend of textures and flavors.
  • Wine pairings - To make every flavor taste even better, deglaze the pan with a splash of full-bodied red wine. Pinot noir and Chianti are excellent options and pair well to sip on the side.
  • Less sweet - If the sweetness is a concern, try with 1-2 tablespoons of sugar for a slightly less sweet version.

Nutrition

Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 1019mg | Potassium: 1171mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 1058IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 6mg