Ain’t nothing better than a plate of homemade spaghetti with meat sauce, boos. I’ve made this recipe for my fam a gazillion times on busy weeknights, and it beats any jar of spaghetti sauce from the store! Everything cooks up in one pot, so all you really gotta do is let the sauce simmer and toss it with the spaghetti when it’s ready. I love serving this spaghetti with meat sauce next to fried catfish (it’s a Chicagoan thing), but y’all can serve it however you like.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
How to Make Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
These step-by-step photos show how to make an easy homemade spaghetti sauce, but be sure to check the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and detailed instructions. Skip to the → Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe
1. Pour olive oil into a large pot and brown the meat and vegetables
Add ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, green pepper, salt, and pepper, and cook until browned. Add garlic and cook briefly.
2. Add in the remaining ingredients for your tomato meat sauce
Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, red wine, chicken stock, Italian seasoning, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens.
3. Add the spaghetti to a large pot of boiling salted water
Cook until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water.
4. Toss spaghetti with your homemade meat sauce
Add as much or as little sauce as you like, and serve!
PRO TIP: If you’ve got whole canned tomatoes, crush them by hand or add them to a blender for a few seconds to make your own crushed tomatoes.
Full Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Want to Save This Recipe, Boo?
I’ll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 lb Italian sausage or chicken sausage
- Seasoned salt to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 1/2 cup chopped green peppers
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 48 oz canned crushed tomatoes 1 1/2 28 oz cans
- 29 oz canned tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp red wine
- 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning can make it homemade
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar plus 1 teaspoon
- 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 16-24 oz spaghetti
Instructions
- Add olive oil to large pot over medium high heat on stove.
- Add ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, green pepper and salt and pepper. Brown until cooked.
- Next add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Then add in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, red wine, chicken stock, Italian seasoning, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Lower heat to medium low and continue to simmer until sauce has thickened about 40-50 minutes.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil then add spaghetti and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Don’t cook all the way. Drain noodles and rinse with cold water. Add spaghetti to sauce (use as much or as little as you want) and toss to combine then serve.
Notes
How to Store
- Fridge: Store leftover spaghetti with meat sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The sauce actually gets better as it sits!
- Freezer: Let everything cool completely, then store in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. I suggest freezing the sauce by itself and making fresh spaghetti when you’re ready to serve.
- Reheating: Warm it up on the stove over medium low heat until hot, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce thickened up. You can also microwave individual portions, stirring halfway through so it heats evenly.
Nutrition
Recipe Tips
- Grab good ingredients. Use quality canned tomatoes, fresh spices, and a good mix of meat. I like using about 80/20 ground beef because that little bit of fat brings flavor to the sauce.
- Use a pot big enough for the spaghetti. The noodles need room to move around while they cook. If the pot is too crowded, they will clump together and cook uneven.
- Don’t skip the sugar, boos! This is a Southern thing. Sugar helps round out the tomato flavor so it isn’t too sharp or acidic.
- Taste the sauce as it simmers. Adjust the seasoning so it comes out just how you like it.
Want to Save This Recipe, Boo?
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Serving Ideas
- Bread on the Side: A slice of garlic bread is a must next to this homemade spaghetti with meat sauce. Try it with roasted garlic bread, cheesy garlic breadsticks, or some soft yeast rolls.
- Fresh Salads: Caesar salad, harvest fall salad, or a simple cucumber salad all work well.
- Green Veggies: Add a veggie on the side like roasted brussels sprouts, green beans with bacon, or roasted butternut squash.
- Bring on the Cheese: Italians can’t have their pasta without Parmesan, boos! Grate some right over the top.
Recipe Help
Absolutely, boos! You can make the sauce ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. It also freezes great for 3-4 months.
Take a noodle and give it a bite. It should be tender but still have a slight bite in the center. If it’s completely soft, it’s past al dente.
pinterest 
facebook 
twitter 
email