Easy Spaghetti Sauce

Easy Spaghetti Sauce

authentic Italian recipe

Recipe by
Reviewed by Arturs Arnicans
Prep Time: 5m
Cook Time: 1h
Total Time: 1h 5m
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Easy
4.9 (11 Reviews)
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Ingredients

Adjust servings:

Nutritional Information

160
calories
12g
fat
6g
carbohydrates
9g
protein
19mg
cholesterol
410mg
sodium
Easy Spaghetti Sauce

Recipe Description

It’s hard to imagine Italian cooking without an Easy Spaghetti Sauce. It has just eight ingredients, two of them are black pepper and salt, yet delivers a big flavor. This easy recipe features a rich blend of ground beef and tomatoes tossed with pasta and flavored with a generous amount of fresh torn basil. A good grating of Parmesan served on top is lovely and optional.  

This spaghetti sauce is really simple. Start with the extra virgin olive oil. In a large saucepan, heat the oil and add the crushed garlic and chopped parsley. Then add the ground beef and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until the beef begins to dry up. Add the tomato passata and bring to a simmer. Simmer on low for about one hour. Once the sauce is ready, adjust seasonings to taste and add the basil. Serve tossed with pasta, and enjoy!

To make the Easy Spaghetti Sauce, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for Easy Spaghetti Sauce

Steps to make

  1. 1

    Cook garlic and parsley

    1 min
    Step 1 - Easy Spaghetti Sauce

    In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, heat 4 tablespoons olive oil and add 3 crushed garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon chopped parsley. Sauté for 1 minute.

  2. 2

    Add beef

    5 min
    Step 2 - Easy Spaghetti Sauce

    Add 8 ounces ground beef, breaking up with a wooden spoon, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook until the beef begins to dry up.

  3. 3

    Add tomato passata

    2 min
    Step 3 - Easy Spaghetti Sauce

    Add 1 28-ounce jar tomato passata/purèe/chopped tomatoes and bring the sauce to a simmer. Add more salt. If the sauce is too thick, add about ¾ cup of water or until the bottom line of the jar (shake to rinse), then add to the pot. If not, rinse the jar with a little less water.

  4. 4

    Cook sauce

    1h
    Step 4 - Easy Spaghetti SauceStep 4 - Easy Spaghetti Sauce

    Once at a simmer, lower the heat and gently simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally. After about 30 minutes, taste and adjust salt if needed. Once the sauce is ready, check once again for seasoning. Add salt and black pepper to taste, and fresh basil leaves torn into pieces.

  5. 5

    Cook pasta

    8 min
    Step 5 - Easy Spaghetti Sauce

    Boil the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water.

  6. 6

    Add pasta

    3 min
    Step 6 - Easy Spaghetti Sauce

    Use a pasta fork to take the pasta directly from the pot and place it into the sauce. Toss to combine. Thin the sauce with the reserved pasta water if needed.

  7. 7

    Serve

    Step 7 - Easy Spaghetti Sauce

    Divide the pasta between plates, and enjoy!

This Easy Spaghetti Sauce is full of flavor and so simple to prepare. Made with ground beef and tomatoes, this homemade hearty sauce is perfect over spaghetti. Give this recipe a try soon, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

About the author

Jeff O'connor

Jeff is a 38-year-old bachelor who prefers not to waste his time on salads and light meals. He’s a true carnivore who knows how to enjoy food to the max! Jeff will tell you how to cook rich and filling meals from scratch, bringing some real meaty decadence to your kitchen. His recipes are sure to satisfy every meat lover!

Recipe Reviews

Have you made this recipe? Share your experience and help other cooks!

★★★★★
★★★★★
4.9 out of 5 (11 reviews)
Harry
February 26, 2025
Verified

Wow! This sauce took me back to my grandma's kitchen. So easy to make! We had it for family dinner and even the kids loved it. I’m thankfull for this recipe that brings everyone together.

Bradley
November 2, 2024
Verified

This Easy Spaghetti Sauce is just superb. Me and my wife made this on a rainy evening, and it was perfect. Simple to follow and the flavors are amazing. We loved adding fresh basil from our little garden.

Vincenzo
September 29, 2024
Verified

Delicioso! Hice esta salsa de espagueti para una cena con amigos y todos quedaron maravillados. La simplicidad de sus ingredientes permitió que los sabores auténticos brillaran. Es definitivamente una receta que repetiré.

Pamela Smith
May 7, 2024
Verified

This sauce is a game changer! Whipped it up for a family dinner, everyone loved it!

Tati
October 10, 2023
Verified

Deliciosa! Hice esta salsa para una cena familiar y todos quedaron sorprendidos. ¡Me encanta lo fácil que es! Solo ocho ingrediantes y el sabor es increíble. Definitivamente será una de mis recetas favoritas.

Iggy
October 1, 2023
Verified

Delicious!

Gemma
September 11, 2023
Verified

So easy, kids loved!

Maria Gonzalez
September 21, 2022
Verified

Delicious

Clara Johnson
September 18, 2022
Verified

This Easy Spaghetti Sauce was superb! I made it for a family dinner, and it was a hit. So simple yet packed with flavour.

Zara
July 8, 2022
Verified

Superb taste here!

Athina
June 20, 2022
Verified

Thanks for sharing. Cooked it and it was amazing!

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