Joe'S Favorite Spaghetti Sauce
Joe's Favorite Spaghetti Sauce offers rich, savory flavors with tender ground beef, garlic, onions, and herbs, perfect for hearty family dinners and casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. or more ground round or lean ground beef ⓘ
- 1 large clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, chopped ⓘ
- 12 oz. can tomato paste ⓘ
- 2 large cans tomato puree ⓘ
- 4 to 6 cups water ⓘ
- 1/4 cup sugar ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoons oregano ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon basil ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons parsley ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- pinch of pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large pot, brown the ground beef with minced garlic and chopped onion.
- Add the tomato paste, tomato puree, water, sugar, oregano, basil, thyme, parsley, bay leaf, salt, and a pinch of pepper.
- Simmer all day, stirring occasionally.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine while simmering or incorporating diced bell peppers for added texture. If you want a lighter option, ground turkey can be used instead of beef. Adjust the sugar according to your taste, especially if the tomatoes are too acidic. Fresh herbs can be used in place of dried for a more vibrant taste.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this spaghetti sauce over your favorite pasta for a classic dish, or use it in recipes like Cheese Stuffed Pasta Shells for a delightful twist. Pair it with garlic bread and a fresh salad for a complete meal. It also makes a great topping for baked potatoes or can be used in Italian Beef Roast For Hot Sandwiches Ala Chicago.
Storage & Reheating
Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, gently warm on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to restore consistency, or microwave in short intervals until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Joe'S Favorite Spaghetti Sauce contains roughly 835 calories, with 41g protein, 123g carbohydrates, and 34g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (225% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and calcium (149% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 896mg per serving (39% 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 spaghetti sauce tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. You can prepare it a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just reheat gently on the stove before serving.
What can I add for extra flavor?
For a heartier version, you can mix in cooked ground sausage or meatballs, which could also be used in dishes like Uncle Nick'S Famous Meatballs.
Is this sauce suitable for freezing?
Yes, this spaghetti sauce freezes very well! After cooking, let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
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).