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Leigh Anne Wilkes

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Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

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Spaghetti with Meat Sauce is a delicious, meaty sauce that is easy to make thanks to canned tomatoes. The longer the sauce simmers, the better it tastes. It’s a delicious one pot meal.

Spaghetti Meat Sauce

Why You’ll Love This Recipe!

It makes a lot! One great thing about this homemade meat sauce recipe is that it makes enough for two meals and it freezes beautifully.  I love keeping a container in my freezer for those crazy days when I don’t have enough time to cook.  All I have to do is boil the noodles and warm up then sauce. 

Everyone loves it! When my kids were growing up, this was a meal I could make and I knew everyone would eat it, even my pick eaters.

It’s pure comfort food. This recipe is how my mom made her spaghetti with meat sauce. Whenever I am in the mood for a little comfort food, this is usually the first thing I make.

homemade spaghetti sauce

Ingredients Needed

  • Lean Ground beef. You can also use ground turkey, ground chicken or Italian sausage. 
  • Canned Diced tomatoes. I prefer the canned petite diced tomatoes. You could also use crushed tomatoes.
  • Tomato sauce
  • Tomato paste
  • Garlic cloves. Fresh, minced
  • Dried Minced Onion. Can also substitute in fresh chopped onion
  • Sugar
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Seasoning. Oregano, basil, dried parsley
  • Pasta. It’s great with penne, linguine, angel hair or spaghetti noodles! 
  • Parmesan cheese. For garnish.
  • Fresh basil. Optional, for garnish.
meat sauce recipe

Tip from Leigh Anne

  1. Simmer. I have found the secret to the pasta sauce is letting it simmer for several hours.  Bring it to a boil and then turn the heat down to a simmer. As it simmers, it thickens up and the flavors intensify. You will want to stir it occasionally to prevent it from burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan. Allow to simmer for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Don’t skip the sugar! The sugar helps balance out the acidity of the tomatoes.
  3. Thick or thin. You can make this sauce whatever consistency you prefer. The sauce will thicken as it simmers. If it gets too thick for your preference, add in another can of water.

How to Make Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

  • Brown meat along with garlic and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat on the stove top.
  • Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water.
  • Stir and then add sugar and seasonings. Season to taste.
  • Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer.
  • Allow it to simmer for several hours. If it gets too thick, just add some additional water or tomato sauce. Stir frequently.
Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

Serve this with:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this in the slow cooker?

Using the slow cooker is a great way to let this simmer for a long time. Brown your meat, onion, garlic in a frying pan. Add into slow cooker along with seasoning and tomatoes. Simmer for 5-6 hours. The sauce doesn’t get as thick in the slow cooker so if you want to thicken it up, place the lid of the slow cooker, ajar for the last couple of hours and that will help thicken the sauce.

How do I store leftovers?

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
For longer, place in an airtight container of a plastic freezer bag and freeze up to 3 months. Place in fridge to thaw and then warm in the microwave or in a pan on the stove top.

best spaghetti meat sauce recipe

Some of My Other Favorite Pasta Recipes:

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4.50 from 6 votes
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce - C

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce is a delicious, meaty sauce that is easy to make thanks to canned tomatoes. The longer the sauce simmers, the better it tastes. It's a delicious one pot meal.
serves: 8 people
Prep:10 minutes
Cook:20 minutes
Total:30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground beef turkey, chicken or Italian sausage
  • 2 14 oz. petite diced tomatoes
  • 2 14 oz. tomato sauce
  • 1 6 oz. tomato paste
  • 2 cans water use the tomato sauce can
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 2 tsp dried onion
  • 3 Tbsp sugar or to taste
  • salt to taste
  • 1 Tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 Tbsp dried basil
  • 2 Tbsp dried parsley

Instructions

  • Brown meat along with garlic and onion.
  • Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water.
  • Stir and then add sugar and seasonings. Season to taste.
  • Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer.
  • Allow it to simmer for several hours. If it gets too thick, just add some additional water or tomato sauce. Stir frequently

Tips & Notes:

  • Simmer. I have found the secret to the pasta sauce is letting it simmer for several hours.  Bring it to a boil and then turn the heat down to a simmer. As it simmers, it thickens up and the flavors intensify. You will want to stir it occasionally to prevent it from burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan. Allow to simmer for at least 30 minutes.
  • Don’t skip the sugar! The sugar helps balance out the acidity of the tomatoes.
  • Thick or thin. You can make this sauce whatever consistency you prefer. The sauce will thicken as it simmers. If it gets too thick for your preference, add in another can of water.

Recommended Products

Frying Pan
Measuring Spoons

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 175kcal (9%) Carbohydrates: 6g (2%) Protein: 10g (20%) Fat: 11g (17%) Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) Cholesterol: 40mg (13%) Sodium: 41mg (2%) Potassium: 198mg (6%) Sugar: 5g (6%) Vitamin A: 20IU Vitamin C: 1.7mg (2%) Calcium: 35mg (4%) Iron: 1.7mg (9%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Main Course
Cuisine:Italian
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce - C
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Originally posted April 2011

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  1. Sue Lambrix says

    Leigh Anne
    My mom’s spaghetti sauce is almost exactly the same. She put in 2 of each can and that’s how I remembered it. The one thing she did different was to add a condensed can of tomato soup. I love this addition. It makes it creamier and cuts down on the acidity.
    I just can’t eat any bottled sauce. Once in awhile I do but it’s just not the same.
    On occasions where you do by a bottled sauce which one would you recommend?
    Thank you Leigh Anne
    Sue Lambrix
    Napa, CA

    Reply

  2. Christy says

    I made this sauce in the crock – pot, and it turned out great. I just added less water – only 1 can instead of 2. Thanks for another great recipe!

    Reply

  4. Whitney says

    Hi! I’m going to make this for a birthday party in a couple weeks, and I’m trying to decide how many batches to make (I’m feeding 14 people)…I know you said you can get two meals out of it…is that feeding you, your husband, and your 4 kids? Thank you!!

    Reply

  5. Anh Wood says

    I made this last week and hubby said it was the best spaghetti ever. My spaghetti uses almost the exact ingredients minus the tomato paste. I’ve always added a can of Campbell’s Tomato Soup instead, which hubby liked, but this came out much better. I’m glad I tried this and this recipe is a definite keeper. Thank you for making me a better wife and mother. Almost forgot, my 8-year old son had 3 helpings (first time ever).

    Reply