Dinner

Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe

Name: Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-493029H24M39S
Total time: PT-493029H24M39S
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound Italian sausage; 1 pound lean ground beef; 1 large sweet onion, peeled and diced; 5 cloves garlic, peeled and minced; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 12 ounces tomato paste; 28 ounces crushed tomatoes; 15 ounces diced fire roasted tomatoes; 1/2 cup chicken broth

ByMariam Harutyunyan March 30, 2026March 30, 2026

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Introduction

This hearty spaghetti meat sauce is a classic comfort food that combines Italian sausage and ground beef in a rich tomato base. Simmered slowly with aromatic herbs and vegetables, it’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a cozy family meal.

A white plate sits on a white marbled surface, filled with a single layer of long, light yellow spaghetti noodles that have a smooth texture and are slightly twisted around the edges. On top of the noodles, there is a thick, chunky layer of rich red meat sauce mixed with bits of browned ground meat and visible small pieces of tomato and herbs, giving it a textured and hearty look. The sauce covers most of the spaghetti but leaves some noodles showing around the edges. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound Italian sausage
1 pound lean ground beef

1 large sweet onion (peeled and diced)
5 cloves garlic (peeled and minced)

2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/3 cup fresh parsley (chopped)

12 ounces tomato paste
28 ounces crushed tomatoes
15 ounces diced fire roasted tomatoes

1/2 cup chicken broth

Instructions

Step 1: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and ground beef, breaking them up with a wooden spoon or spatula. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring frequently, until the meat is fully browned and no pink remains. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Drain off excess fat.
Step 2: Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the granulated sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and fresh parsley until well combined.

Step 3: Add the tomato paste and mix thoroughly to combine with the meat mixture.
Step 4: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, diced fire roasted tomatoes with their liquid, and chicken broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
Step 5: Bring the sauce to a simmer. Cover the pot with a lid, reduce heat to low, and let it simmer for at least 1 hour, up to 4 hours for the best flavor and texture. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

Step 6: If the sauce becomes too thick during simmering, add more chicken broth in 1/4 cup increments until you reach your preferred consistency.
Step 7: Serve the sauce hot over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta.

Tips & Variations

For a spicier sauce, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the Italian seasoning.

Swap chicken broth for beef broth or water if preferred.
Add chopped bell peppers or mushrooms with the onions for extra veggies and flavor.
If time is short, simmering for at least 30 minutes will still produce a tasty sauce.

Fresh basil can be added at the end for a bright herbal note.

Storage

Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze, let the sauce cool completely and transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if it thickens too much.

How to Serve

A close-up image of thick, chunky red tomato sauce with visible pieces of ground meat and herbs, being stirred with a wooden spoon inside a red pot, the sauce showing a rich, textured surface with shiny droplets of oil and bits of onion mixed in. The background is softly blurred, highlighting the steaming hot sauce. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use only ground beef instead of sausage and beef?

Yes, you can use 2 pounds of ground beef if you prefer. The sausage adds extra flavor and fat that enriches the sauce, but ground beef alone will still make a delicious meat sauce.

Do I need to drain the fat from the meat?

Draining off the excess fat helps prevent the sauce from becoming greasy. However, if you prefer a richer sauce, you can leave some fat in for more flavor.