This Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe from scratch comes together in about 25 minutes! It is an Italian spaghetti sauce that you can make quickly to go with dinner, serve with your meatballs, or throw in your lasagna.
You will want to make this meatless spaghetti sauce again and again. If you are looking for something to serve alongside your spaghetti dinner, make this easy side salad or this roasted asparagus!
It has been insanely flippn’ cold here, guys.
(Side note: In real life I kind of swear like a sailor. I have gotten really good at turning it on and off in front of the kids without even thinking twice, but yeah . . . . I have a potty mouth. So I don’t actually say things like “flippn'” unless I’m texting with someone who I don’t think swears, hahaha! I use other more satisfying f-words.)
SO COLD.
It’s just starting to warm up a little. But it feels like such a cruel way to really start winter. It’s making me realize that by about March my family is going to have some serious cabin fever.
So this has me wanting to make all the things that are warm and comforting. Like spaghetti. Is there anything more satisfying than a giant bowl of spaghetti? I think not.
And what better to top spaghetti with than some delicious homemade spaghetti sauce. Guys, making sauce at home could not be easier. You don’t need to be a whiz in the kitchen. And you just need to keep some dried herbs, garlic and canned tomatoes on hand to make it come together on the regular, making it the best spaghetti sauce recipe.
How do you make Homemade Spaghetti Sauce?
- Start by sautéing some garlic in olive oil.
- Add your canned tomatoes – either two cans of crushed tomatoes or one can of crushed tomatoes and one can of diced tomatoes for a chunkier sauce.
- Add in your herbs and spices.
- Bring it to a simmer and allow it to thicken for about 15 minutes.
What can you put in your Spaghetti Sauce?
Honestly, the sky is the limit. This was a recipe that I just barely adapted from America’s Test Kitchen. I took out the onions because that was in my wedding vows and I added a few more herbs. This would be great swapping out the diced tomatoes for another can of crushed tomatoes. You could also make a variation on this with meat for a great homemade meat spaghetti sauce.
Great recipes to use Spaghetti Sauce
- on healthy meatballs
- on traditional Italian meatballs
- mixing into Italian Stuffed Peppers
If you love this recipe but want to round out your meal, make my Meat Sauce.
Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 28 oz diced tomatoes see note
- 2 tsps sugar
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté just until it becomes fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add in the crushed and diced tomatoes. Stir in the sugar, salt, oregano, parsley, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Add pepper to taste.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook on low for about 15 minutes or until the sauce is thickens, stirring intermittently.
- Use immediately or stor in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
Alice Williams says
Can it be frozen?
Lisa Longley says
Yes! Seal in an airtight container with enough room for it to expand and freeze for up to three months.
philomela arias says
yummylicious
Cindy says
Hi Lisa, is it necessary to add the pepper flakes to the spaghetti sauce recipe? My family is not into anything spicy.
Lisa Longley says
I don’t think it adds a lot of spice, it’s so little that it’s really just a background flavor, but of course you can skip it if your family won’t like it.
Cindy moore says
Can you can this ?
Lisa Longley says
Hi Cindy! I don’t have enough experience with canning, so I always refer people here: https://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/publications_usda.html
Susie says
Do you drain the can of diced tomatoes? Thanks! Looks good and easy!
Lisa Longley says
You do not drain the tomatoes :)
Peg says
If I added a bit of vinegar to this recipe, could it be hot water bath canned? I’ll be using fresh tomatoes since my garden produced a bumper crop!
LOVE your page btw!!
Lisa Longley says
Hi Peg! I don’t have enough experience with canning, so I always refer people here: https://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/publications_usda.html
Geralyn says
I was wondering to can this recipe would I still cook all the ingredients and then can it? I’m new to growing my own and canning and want to start. Thanks very much for any advice
Lisa Longley says
I’m so sorry, I don’t have enough experience with canning to help you with this. I always refer people here: https://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/publications_usda.html
Adri says
For how long can it be refrigerated?
Lisa Longley says
You can refrigerate it for four to five days or freeze it for up to three months.
LaTashia R Reedus says
How long will this keep in the refrigerator if put in Mason jars?
Lisa Longley says
This will stay good in the refrigerator for four to five days. It will last up to three months in the freezer.
Teresa says
Will this be less sodium than store bought sauce?
Lisa Longley says
That just really depends on the what store bought sauce you are using. You can definitely control the sodium levels easier at home. Start by grabbing canned tomatoes that are low sodium and don’t add as much salt.