Hearty Spaghetti Sauce That Will Transform Your Weeknight Dinners

This hearty spaghetti sauce delivers deep, comforting flavors, ideal for enhancing your weeknight dinners with minimal effort.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 9

Total Time 9 15

Servings: 8 cups

Course: PASTA

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 300

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

For the Meat

1 lb Ground Beef Feel free to substitute with ground turkey for a leaner option.
1 lb Italian Sausage Can be swapped for turkey sausage or more ground beef.

For the Vegetables

1 cup Onions Substitute with shallots for a gentler taste.
4 cloves Garlic Fresh garlic is best but garlic powder works in a pinch.

For the Sauce Base

2 cans Diced Tomatoes Keep undrained for richer sauce.
6 oz Tomato Paste Can use tomato sauce as a substitute.
1 cup Water Adjust based on desired thickness.

For Flavor Enhancement

1 tbsp Sugar Can be omitted or replaced with honey.
2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce A must for depth; soy sauce is a good substitute.

For the Seasonings

1 tbsp Fresh Parsley Can use dried herbs, reduce quantity.
1 tbsp Basil Dried herbs can be used, reduce quantity.
1 tbsp Oregano Dried herbs can be used, reduce quantity.
2 leaves Bay Leaves
1 tsp Sage
1 tsp Marjoram
to taste Salt Season to taste as you cook.
to taste Pepper Season to taste as you cook.

Equipment

Dutch oven
5-quart slow cooker

Method

Cooking Steps

In a Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
Stir in the onions and garlic, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
Carefully transfer the meat mixture to a 5-quart slow cooker.
Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and all seasonings to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
Before serving, discard the bay leaves and serve the sauce hot with spaghetti or pasta.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 20gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 10mg

Notes

Optional: Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an extra flavor boost.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!