You may never buy the jarred stuff again! Homemade spaghetti sauce is a classic and easy recipe. Made with Italian sausage, savory herbs, and tomatoes, this is the ideal family-favorite meal.
In a large dutch oven, add one tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add sausage and brown until crumbled.
Add diced onion, minced garlic, and mushrooms to the same pot. Cook until onion turns translucent.
Add cans of sauce, tomatoes, and tomato paste to pot and stir well.
Add oregano and basil, and a pinch of sugar, if desired.
Simmer on stovetop for 30 minutes to an hour, or until fragrant and flavorful!
Notes
A pinch of sugar reduces the acidity of the recipe. It's not necessary, but many people add a pinch of sugar to their tomato sauces.
Mild Italian Sausage adds delicious flavors to this recipe. If you prefer a spicier version, try hot or spicy Italian sausage. Alternatively, you can also use ground beef.
Substitute dried Italian seasoning for basil and oregano.
Use jarred pasta sauce instead of tomato sauce as a shortcut. Just omit the seasonings to avoid overpowering the sauce.
Swap the stewed and diced tomatoes for each other and add more as desired. This is also my favorite opportunity to use homemade canned tomatoes when I have those on hand.
Tomato Paste is the key to thickening spaghetti sauce or any other tomato-based sauce. Start with the specified measurement, then add more if you like a thicker sauce. For a few dollars more, you can buy this in a TUBE! I always end up throwing half the can out otherwise. Save money here and always have this ingredient on hand.
Spaghetti noodles are the ideal pasta choice for this sauce! Angel Hair, Fettuccini or other long noodle will also work. Whole wheat pasta noodles, gluten-free pasta noodles, zoodles, and other pasta substitutions will work, too.