Description
This homemade spaghetti sauce recipe combines browned ground beef with sautéed onions, garlic, and herbs in a rich tomato base, simmered slowly to develop deep, comforting flavors perfect for any pasta dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Olive Oil and Aromatics
- 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1/2 tsp. dried basil (optional)
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
Seasonings and Meat
- 3 tsp. kosher salt, divided
- 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided
- 1 lb. (85% lean) ground beef
Tomato Base
- 2 (28-oz.) cans whole peeled tomatoes
- 1 Parmesan rind
Finishing Touches
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the finely chopped onion, sliced garlic, dried basil if using, dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and lightly golden brown, about 7 minutes.
- Brown the Beef: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the saucepan. Break it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting heat if needed, until the beef begins to brown, about 8 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
- Add Tomatoes and Simmer: In a medium bowl, crush the whole peeled tomatoes and their juices with your hands until small pieces form. Add the crushed tomatoes and the Parmesan rind to the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reduces by about one-quarter and the raw tomato flavor has cooked out, roughly 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat and discard the Parmesan rind.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir in the chopped fresh basil, unsalted butter, the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Toss the sauce well until it becomes glossy and the butter has fully melted, then serve.
Notes
- Using whole peeled tomatoes crushed by hand results in a more rustic texture compared to using canned crushed tomatoes.
- The Parmesan rind adds a subtle umami flavor; remove it before serving.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste, especially if using salted butter.
- This sauce pairs beautifully with any type of pasta or can be used as a base for other Italian dishes like lasagna or meatball subs.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and add mushrooms or lentils as a hearty substitute.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: spaghetti sauce, homemade pasta sauce, Italian sauce, ground beef tomato sauce, easy spaghetti sauce, meat sauce
