Fran'S Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
A rich, hearty homemade spaghetti sauce packed with fresh vegetables, herbs, and ground meat, perfect for family dinners or special gatherings craving authentic Italian flavors.
Ingredients
- 5 lb. ground meat (beef, pork, sausage) ⓘ
- 1 bunch celery, diced ⓘ
- 6 peppers, mixed and diced ⓘ
- 1/4 cup Italian seasoning ⓘ
- 1 cup fresh thyme or 1/4 cup dried thyme
- 1 cup fresh oregano or 1/4 cup dried oregano ⓘ
- 2 cups fresh parsley or 1 cup dried parsley ⓘ
- 10 cloves garlic, fresh and diced ⓘ
- 1/2 bushel tomatoes, skin off and diced ⓘ
- 4 small cans tomato paste or 1 quart can ⓘ
- 1 cup real butter ⓘ
- 4 tablespoons salt ⓘ
- 1 quart mushrooms, fresh (optional) ⓘ
- 8 onions, diced ⓘ
- 1 cup fresh basil, chopped ⓘ
- 12 bay leaves, dried ⓘ
- 1 cup olive oil ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons black pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Put olive oil and butter in a skillet and heat.
- Add diced onions, garlic, peppers, and celery; sauté until vegetables are tender.
- Add ground meat and cook until browned.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and mushrooms; simmer for at least 1 hour.
- Add herbs: Italian seasoning, thyme, oregano, parsley, basil, and bay leaves.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Remove bay leaves before serving. Serve sauce over cooked pasta.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using a mix of ground meats like beef and pork. If you don't have fresh herbs, dried versions work well, but reduce the quantity to about one-third. You can also add grated carrots for natural sweetness or swap in zucchini for a veggie boost. To enhance the sauce, simmer longer or add a splash of red wine for depth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty sauce over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti or even with a baked dish like Sorta Lasagne. Pair with garlic bread and a simple green salad for a complete meal. This sauce also serves as a fantastic base for vegetarian recipes; just omit the meat and add your favorite vegetables.
Storage & Reheating
Cool the sauce completely before transferring it to airtight containers. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. When reheating, do so gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if it thickens too much.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Fran'S Homemade Spaghetti Sauce contains roughly 1824 calories, with 49g protein, 117g carbohydrates, and 142g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (267% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (191% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1452mg per serving (63% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! This sauce tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Prepare it in advance and store it in the refrigerator or freezer. Reheat it gently before serving for the best flavor.
What type of tomatoes should I use?
Using fresh tomatoes is ideal for flavor, but if they're not in season, canned tomatoes are a great substitute. Look for whole peeled or diced tomatoes in juice or puree for the best results.
Can I make this sauce vegetarian?
Yes! Simply omit the ground meat and add a variety of vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers. You can enhance the flavor with extra herbs and a splash of vegetable broth for depth.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).