Leftovers Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

Transform your leftover ground beef and pantry staples into a hearty, flavorful spaghetti sauce! This budget-friendly recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and proves that delicious doesn't have to be expensive. I threw together fridge leftovers and pantry ingredients, and the result was a surprisingly delicious sauce that even my husband loved! Get ready for a taste of comforting Italian goodness without breaking the bank.

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Calories 987.8 kcal
Protein 104g
Rating Be the first
Leftovers Spaghetti Sauce 322

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Forktionary editorial kitchen team

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Leftovers Spaghetti Sauce

  • 1 (28 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
  • 1 (49 ounce) jar Prego spaghetti sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium white onion, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup leftover cooked vegetables (optional)

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How to Make Leftovers Spaghetti Sauce

  1. Brown 1 pound of ground beef in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Add 1 medium onion, chopped, and 2 cloves garlic, minced, to the pot. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional), and salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Add any leftover vegetables (about 1 cup chopped, such as carrots, celery, bell peppers) you may have.
  5. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor will be!
  6. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve over your favorite pasta.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

106 g

Sugar

195g

Fat

83g

Carbs

28g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner Beef & Red Meat Ground Beef Recipes European Italian

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

60 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Preparation For 1 Or 2 Healthy Sauces Main Dish Condiments Etc Beef Pasta Dietary Low Cholesterol Low Calorie Low Carb Healthy 2 Ground Beef Low In Something Meat Pasta Rice And Grains Number Of Servings

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Leftovers Spaghetti Sauce?

Leftovers Spaghetti Sauce takes about 55 minutes from start to finish — roughly 15 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Leftovers Spaghetti Sauce?

Leftovers Spaghetti Sauce has approximately 987.8 calories per serving, with about 104 g protein, 28 g carbohydrates and 75 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Leftovers Spaghetti Sauce?

The key ingredients for Leftovers Spaghetti Sauce are Stewed Tomatoes, Prego Spaghetti Sauce, Garlic, Ground Beef, White Onion, Granulated Sugar. See the full list with measurements above.

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