7 Best Spaghetti Sauce Recipes from Scratch

Why make spaghetti sauce from scratch?

There are several benefits to making spaghetti sauce from scratch. It saves money, allows you to control the seasonings in the mix, and often tastes far superior to conventional canned sauces you can buy at the store. You’ve come to the right place if you or someone you know has always wanted to make homemade spaghetti sauce. This article will go over the top seven spaghetti sauce recipes you can make from scratch.

1. Spaghetti Sauce Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes

Spaghetti Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes
Spaghetti Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes

This recipe shares an easy way to remove tomato skins. First, use a sharp knife to score the bottom (not the stem end) of each tomato. Bring a pot of water to boiling point and prepare a large bowl with ice water off to the side. Let the tomatoes sit in the boiling water for about a minute. Immediately transfer them to the ice water to stop the cooking process. Once you can handle them, you should be able to easily peel away the skins with little to no problem.

Get the full recipe and directions here.

2. Spaghetti Sauce Recipe with Diced Tomatoes

Spaghetti Sauce with Diced Tomatoes
Spaghetti Sauce with Diced Tomatoes

Try this recipe if you like spaghetti sauces with a chunkier texture. This version of spaghetti sauce is ideal if you have a can of diced tomatoes in your pantry. Many of the rest of the ingredients mirror the first recipe but feel free to experiment with the seasonings in this sauce to reach your desired flavor profile. Stick to using dried herbs such as basil, oregano, thyme, and parsley if you need to reduce your prep time. It is also in your best interest to cook the beef ahead of time so you can quickly get dinner on the table.

Get the full recipe and directions here.

3. Spaghetti Sauce Recipe with Tomato Sauce

Spaghetti Sauce with Tomato Sauce
Spaghetti Sauce with Tomato Sauce

This straightforward recipe uses ground beef, beef broth, and tomato sauce as the foundation for the sauce. Italian seasoning and garlic powder act as complementary seasonings for your spaghetti sauce. Along with that, a unique ingredient you will need on hand is Worcestershire sauce. 

Keep in mind that you must allow your sauce to simmer for an hour to develop the flavors. On the plus side, your kitchen will smell amazing and help draw everyone in for mealtime. Boil your pasta to al dente at the last minute and use a pair of tongs to toss the noodles with your sauce right before serving.

Get the full recipe and directions here.

4. Spaghetti Sauce Recipe with Tomato Paste

Homemade Red Italian Marinara Sauce with Basil and Garlic
Spaghetti Sauce with Tomato Paste

This recipe provides an overall deeper tomato flavor, and it is a cinch to make. It uses a combination of tomato sauce and tomato paste, plus a little bit of sugar, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning are the go-to seasonings, but feel free to add fresh flat-leaf parsley to liven up this spaghetti sauce. You can also incorporate other vegetables into your sauce, such as finely diced celery, carrots, eggplant, mushrooms, or zucchini if you so desire.

Get the full recipe and directions here.

5. Vegetarian Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce 

Vegetarian Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce
Vegetarian Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce

If you love fresh garlic, basil, and parsley, this vibrant homemade spaghetti sauce is the one to beat. This recipe uses a combination of tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes to ensure that you can taste a rich tomato flavor in every bite. Feel free to add diced bell peppers or mushrooms to enhance this vegetarian-friendly spaghetti sauce. 

Whip up a batch of this sauce for a fuss-free spaghetti dinner. There is no need to keep a pan simmering on the stove, the author of this recipe suggests using a crockpot instead. Make clean-up a breeze by using a crockpot liner; this method will also prevent the sauce from caking on the inside of your crockpot as it cooks through.  

Get the full recipe and directions from Rachel Cooks.

6. Freezer-Friendly Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

Freezer-Friendly Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
Freezer-Friendly Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

This chunky and flavorful sauce will certainly wow your dinner guests. It is the perfect recipe to use up that last bit of leftover red wine. You will also utilize your spice rack because this recipe calls for cloves, bay leaves, basil, oregano, and parsley. Along with the usual suspects (chopped onions and minced garlic), you will also need celery and mushrooms to make this sauce. 

Don’t let the long ingredient list intimidate you because this spaghetti and meat sauce recipe makes a pretty large batch that you can save for later. You can’t ask for a better freezer-friendly homemade spaghetti sauce. 

Get the full recipe and directions from Foodie Crush.

7. Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Last but not least, this recipe calls for a touch of brown sugar to sweeten up the homemade spaghetti sauce. Feel free to use either ground beef or pork sausage, depending on what you have available. You will also need an onion and green pepper to make this spaghetti sauce. 

The author recommends using Tuttorosso’s diced tomatoes if you’re using canned tomatoes. However, you can substitute this ingredient for fresh plum tomatoes instead. Keep in mind that you will probably have to simmer the sauce for a little longer when using fresh tomatoes. Simmering the sauce helps tone down the raw tomato flavor. As a bonus, the aromas from this sauce will make everyone naturally migrate downstairs for dinner. 

Get the full recipe and directions from Belle of the Kitchen.

Spaghetti sauce is a versatile thing you can use for countless Italian dishes. If you don’t have enough ground beef on hand, throw in some ground pork. Italian sausage is another excellent alternative for this type of sauce. If you need to cut down on fat, consider substituting ground beef for ground turkey. There are myriad ways to adjust a spaghetti sauce recipe to your liking, so don’t be afraid to make it your own.

We hope you enjoy making a spaghetti sauce recipe from scratch for your next spaghetti night. Rest assured, any spaghetti sauce you create in your own kitchen can taste fresher and more flavorful than your family’s favorite canned sauce. 


If you like this post, we think you’ll really like our Spaghetti Pasta Bake Recipe post.

Spaghetti Sauce from Scratch Recipes
Spaghetti Sauce from Scratch Recipes

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