Discover the ultimate homemade spaghetti sauce recipe packed with savory flavors and easy-to-find ingredients! Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this hearty sauce pairs perfectly with hot cooked spaghetti.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- ¾ pound bulk Italian sausage
- 4 medium onions, finely chopped
- 8 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cans (14 ½ ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 4 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- ¼ cup minced parsley
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 4 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon rubbed sage
- ½ teaspoon dried marjoram
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- Salt to taste
- Hot cooked spaghetti
Instructions
- Cook the Meat Mixture: In a large Dutch oven, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, chopped onions, and minced garlic until the meat is no longer pink. Discard any excess fat for a leaner sauce.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Transfer the cooked meat mixture to a 5-quart slow cooker. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, minced parsley, Worcestershire sauce, canola oil, and all the spices.
- Add Water and Seasoning: Pour in the ½ cup of water and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours, or on high for 4 hours if you’re short on time.
- Serve: Once cooked, remove the bay leaves and serve the homemade spaghetti sauce over hot cooked spaghetti.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Can I freeze the leftover spaghetti sauce?
Yes, you can freeze the sauce in an airtight container for up to three months. Simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
2. Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute ground turkey for ground beef if you prefer a lighter option.
3. Can I omit the sugar from the recipe?
While the sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes, you can reduce or omit it altogether if you prefer a less sweet sauce.
4. Can I add extra vegetables to the sauce?
Certainly! You can add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini for added flavor and nutrition.
5. How long will the spaghetti sauce keep in the refrigerator?
Stored in an airtight container, the spaghetti sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to five days.
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