Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe
If you’ve been dreaming of a rich, hearty sauce that can make even store-bought spaghetti taste like it came straight from a rustic Italian kitchen, you need to try the Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe. This sauce is robust yet perfectly balanced, built layer by layer with buttery onions, aromatic garlic, not one but two kinds of savory meat, and a generous swirl of basil. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or hosting friends, this recipe has earned its place as a dinner table hero—no fancy culinary degree required.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Building the Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe isn’t about complicated ingredients—it’s about using everyday staples thoughtfully to create something extraordinary. Each element brings a special touch, so pay attention to the details, and you’ll taste the difference in every forkful.
- Butter: Adds a comforting richness that rounds out the sauce and helps the onions become meltingly soft.
- Extra-large red onion (diced): Provides a subtly sweet and aromatic base; the red onion also infuses the sauce with a gorgeous color.
- Garlic (minced): Big flavor alert! Plenty of garlic gives the sauce its classic Italian punch and savory depth.
- Ground Italian sausage: Infuses the sauce with a little spice, extra juiciness, and that unmistakable Italian sausage magic.
- Ground beef: Brings rich, meaty body to the sauce and soaks up all those herby flavors.
- Dried oregano (or Italian seasoning): Earthy and fragrant, this gives your sauce that signature Italian backbone.
- Tomato sauce (two 28oz cans): The heart of your sauce—a velvety, smooth base that ties everything together.
- Crushed tomato (one 28oz can): Offers a chunkier texture and vibrant tomato flavor for variety.
- Fresh basil (chopped): Lifts the sauce with bright, peppery freshness at the very end.
- Sugar (1-2 tablespoons, if needed): Sometimes tomatoes need a pinch of sugar to counteract acidity; trust your taste buds here.
- Salt and pepper: The final step to bring everything into perfect, crave-worthy balance.
How to Make Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Soften the Onions in Butter
Start by heating up your kitchen with the aroma of butter melting in a six-quart, heavy-bottomed pot. Scatter in the diced red onions and let them gently soften over medium heat, stirring and coaxing out their sweetness for about 5 to 8 minutes. If things start to sizzle a little too quickly, don’t hesitate to lower the heat—patience here ensures a mild, tender base for your Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe.
Step 2: Garlic, Meat, and Aromatics
Next up is the garlic. Toss it into the pot and let it cook for a couple of minutes until fragrant; you’ll know it’s ready when your kitchen starts to fill with that irresistible scent. Pile in the sausage and ground beef, followed by the dried oregano or Italian seasoning. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat as it cooks, ensuring no big clumps sneak their way into your sauce. Be patient while everything browns—it’s this step that gives the Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe its savory depth.
Step 3: Tomatoes and Simmering
Time to join the party with your tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes. Pour them over the beautifully browned meat and give everything a good stir. Once blended, pop the lid on and let the sauce simmer for 30 to 60 minutes, stirring every now and then. If you’re feeling fancy, let it go even longer—there’s no rush, and the flavors only deepen with time.
Step 4: Fresh Basil and Season to Taste
When your sauce has simmered to perfection, turn off the heat and fold in the freshly chopped basil. Taste it and sprinkle in salt and pepper as needed. If the tomatoes are a touch too acidic, a spoonful or two of sugar does wonders—adjust until your Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe tastes just the way you love it.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Spoon your sauce over heaping bowls of warm pasta and watch the magic happen. It’s comfort food, crowd-pleaser, and weeknight dinner miracle, all in one.
How to Serve Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
You can never go wrong with a shower of freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano over each plate. Finish with extra basil leaves for a pop of color or a drizzle of good olive oil if you’re feeling extra indulgent. Even a pinch of chili flakes can bring just the right spark!
Side Dishes
Crusty garlic bread is a must for mopping up every last drop of sauce. Pair your Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe with a simple green salad tossed in vinaigrette, or roasted vegetables, to round out the meal and keep things fresh but satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your sauce ladled over creamy polenta for a twist, or spoon it onto toasted slices of baguette as a hearty appetizer. For potlucks, layer it into a baked pasta casserole, or even stuff it inside bell peppers for a fun weeknight surprise!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, let your sauce cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. It will keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 4 days, and the flavors deepen overnight, making every reheated bowl even better.
Freezing
Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe is a freezer champion! Portion cooled sauce into resealable bags or containers, squeeze out any air, and freeze for up to 3 months. Lay bags flat for easy stacking and thawing later on.
Reheating
Thaw frozen sauce in the fridge overnight if possible. When ready to reheat, pour it into a saucepan and gently warm it over medium-low heat, stirring often. If it seems too thick, add a splash of water or broth to loosen things up.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and sausage?
Absolutely! While using beef and Italian sausage gives the most authentic flavor, ground turkey or chicken works well, too. Just keep in mind the sauce will be slightly lighter and you may want to boost the seasonings for extra flavor.
Do I have to use fresh basil, or will dried work?
Fresh basil is highly recommended for that punchy finish in the Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe, but you can substitute with a teaspoon of dried basil in a pinch. Just add it earlier, with the other dried herbs, so its flavor infuses the sauce.
Why does my sauce taste sour?
Tomatoes can sometimes be acidic, which may make your sauce a bit tangy. That’s where the sugar comes in—don’t hesitate to add a tablespoon at a time, tasting as you go, until the flavors are balanced.
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Definitely! In fact, the Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe only gets more flavorful as it sits. Make it a day ahead and reheat gently before serving for best results.
How do I avoid greasy sauce?
If you notice a layer of fat after simmering, you can skim it off with a spoon, or use slightly leaner ground beef to start with. Stirring well and letting the sauce rest for a few minutes also helps any excess fat rise to the top for easier removal.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason the Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe has a spot at so many family tables! I hope you’ll try it and make it your own—add your favorite twists, share it with loved ones, and let it become the highlight of your next cozy, satisfying dinner. Happy cooking!
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Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This hearty spaghetti meat sauce recipe is a family favorite, packed with flavor from a blend of ground sausage and beef, simmered in a rich tomato sauce with aromatic herbs.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 extra-large red onion, peeled and diced (2 cups)
- 7–8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano or Italian Seasoning
- 2 – 28 ounce cans tomato sauce
- 1 – 28 ounce can crushed tomato
- ½ cup chopped fresh basil
- 1–2 tablespoon sugar (if needed)
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Set a heavy-bottomed 6-quart sauce pot over medium heat. Add butter and onions. Stir and soften the onions for 5-8 minutes. If they start to brown, turn the heat to medium-low.
- Step 2: Stir in the garlic and sauté for another 2 minutes. Then add the ground sausage, ground beef, and dried oregano. Cook and break the meat into small pieces. Once the meat is well browned, stir in the tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes.
- Step 3: Cover and simmer for 30-60 minutes, stirring occasionally. It’s ready after 30 minutes, but can simmer longer if desired.
- Step 4: Stir in the fresh chopped basil. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and sugar if needed to balance acidity.
- Step 5: Serve warm with pasta.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: spaghetti, meat sauce, pasta, Italian, dinner, family meal
