Mom's Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

Name: Mom's Spaghetti Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 165 min
Yield: Serves 1 or more
Ingredients: 1 stalk celery, chopped (optional); 1 large onion, chopped; 4-6 cloves garlic, minced; 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste; 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce; 1 pound ground beef, browned and drained (optional); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 8 ounces sliced mushrooms (optional); 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional); 1 medium bell pepper, chopped (optional); 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional); 1/2 teaspoon dried sweet basil (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped); 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary (optional); 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (optional); 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (optional); 1 bay leaf; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional); 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional); 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional); 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste; 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity); fresh basil, for garnish (optional)

This incredible spaghetti sauce recipe, passed down through generations, delivers rich, authentic Italian-American flavor. Perfect for any pasta dish, from simple spaghetti to baked ziti (meat optional!), this recipe is incredibly versatile and customizable to your taste. Enjoy the slow-simmered magic – from a quick 45-minute weeknight meal to an all-day simmer for maximum depth of flavor, just like Mom used to make! Discover the secret to a sauce so good, you'll be completely biased.

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 150 mins

Calories 1002.5 kcal

Protein 121g

Rating 5.0 (4 Reviews)

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Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Mom's Spaghetti Sauce

1 stalk celery, chopped (optional)
1 large onion, chopped
4-6 cloves garlic, minced
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 pound ground beef, browned and drained (optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces sliced mushrooms (optional)
1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
1 medium bell pepper, chopped (optional)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
1/2 teaspoon dried sweet basil (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary (optional)
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (optional)
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
fresh basil, for garnish (optional)

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How to Make Mom's Spaghetti Sauce

Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add onions and garlic, cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce.
Add sugar, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using).
Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low.
Simmer for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours for a richer flavor. Stir occasionally.
If using meat, add it during the last hour of cooking.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve over your favorite pasta and garnish with fresh basil (optional).

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

139 g

Sugar

221g

Fat

78g

Carbs

30g

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

Weeknight Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Healthy Sauces Condiments Etc Beef Vegetables European Italian Stove Top Dietary Low Cholesterol Low Calorie Low Carb Healthy 2 Low In Something Meat Tomatoes Equipment Number Of Servings Presentation Served Hot 4 Hours Or Less