• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Brownie Bites Blog
  • Home
  • Food
    • Recipes ->
      • Low Carb and Keto
      • Bars & Barks
      • Beverages
      • Cakes & Pies
      • Candy
      • Cookies & Cupcakes
      • Copycat & Pop Culture
      • Dog Treats
      • Entrees
      • Ice Cream & Frozen
      • Muffins & Breads
      • Starters & Sides
    • Restaurant Tours
    • Party Ideas
    • Tips and Tricks
  • Travel
    • View All
    • California
    • Camping & RV Life
    • Disney ->
      • Bahama Cruise
      • Disney World
      • East Caribbean Cruise
      • West Caribbean Cruise
    • Hawaii
    • Hiking
    • Hotel Tours
    • Japan
    • Seaside Florida
    • Smoky Mountains
    • Washington DC
  • Reviews & Unboxings
    • View All
    • Candy & Sweets
    • Nut Butters
    • Nutrition Bars
    • Snacks
    • Specialty Food
    • Subscription Boxes
  • About
    • About Me
    • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Reviews
  • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Food » Entrees » Italian Spaghetti Meat Sauce

    Italian Spaghetti Meat Sauce

    Posted: 01/27/2014 | Last updated: 03/15/2021 by Erin 1 Comment
    Post may contain affiliate links via Amazon Associates or other programs. (Disclosure)

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe

    authentic-italian-spaghetti-meat-sauce-02

    After trying a few different techniques for how to make spaghetti sauce, I've made small variations each time, and I think I have finally found my favorite!  This sauce will take a bit of time, but allowing it to simmer for a minimum of 5 hours will let the wonderful flavors to develop and it will fill your entire house with a smell that will have your neighbors knocking on your door and asking what time they can be expected for dinner!

    authentic-italian-spaghetti-meat-sauce-01

    This recipe can be easily cut in half (just use a smaller saucepan) or you can even use a huge pot, double it, and section out the leftovers to freeze!  Simply cool the sauce to room temperature and place in individual airtight containers and freeze.  When you're ready to use the sauce, thaw it out in the refrigerator overnight and then heat it up on the stove in a saucepan.  It'll be just as delicious as the day you made it!

     

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

    Italian Spaghetti with Meat Sauce


    • Author: Erin Browne
    • Total Time: 6 hours 20 mins
    • Yield: 8 1x
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 ½ pounds lean or extra lean ground beef
    • ½ cup grated carrot
    • ½ cup yellow onion, minced
    • 4 garlic cloves, minced
    • 2 14oz cans petite diced tomatoes
    • 2 14oz cans plain tomato sauce
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil (or 4 tsp dried)
    • 2 TBS chopped fresh parsley (or 2 tsp dried)
    • 1 tsp dried rosemary
    • ¾ tsp dried thyme
    • ½ tsp dried oregano
    • ½ tsp dried marjoram
    • ½ tsp dried sage
    • Salt and pepper, to taste
    • Chicken broth (optional, used to thin sauce - about ½ cup)
    • Sugar, optional

    Instructions

    1. In a large saucepan, heat 1 TBS of the olive oil and brown the ground beef, using a wooden spatula to break it into small pieces as it cooks.
    2. Remove the beef into a separate bowl and drain all but about 1TBS of the fat in the pan.
    3. Add carrots and onion to the reserved fat until the onions are soft and translucent.
    4. Add the garlic at the very end of the saute.
    5. Stir in the cans of tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, the remaining olive oil, and all of the herbs and spices.
    6. Return the browned ground beef to the pot and stir.
    7. Simmer on low heat with the lid on slightly skewed for venting for 5 - 7 hours (it's worth the wait)
    8. At about 4 hours, if the sauce is still very thin, leave the lid off and continue simmering until it thickens up. If it's too thick, add small amounts of chicken broth to thin.
    9. Taste sauce and if it's too acidic, add sugar a teaspoon at a time until desired flavor has been reached.
    10. Serve over cooked pasta and top with grated Parmesan cheese.
    11. If you have lots leftover, cool to room temperature and freeze in an airtight container placed in a freezer bag. Use frozen sauce within four months.
    • Prep Time: 20 mins
    • Cook Time: 6 hours

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag @ebrowniebites on Facebook or Instagram

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

     

    Related posts:

    1. Zabaglione (Boozy Italian Dessert Sauce)
    2. Low Carb Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bake
    3. Italian Chicken & Vegetable Foil Packets
    4. Pesto Parmesan Shrimp Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
    « Throw a Disney Frozen Themed Party!
    Ooey Gooey Fudge Brownies »

    About Erin

    Erin is a mom of two human babies and two fur-covered babies. She loves comfy clothes, eats too much peanut butter, and watches excessive amounts of Netflix. Make her day and toss her a like on Facebook or follow her on Instagram. Post may contain affiliate links including those via the Amazon Associates program

    Reader Interactions

    Say Something About This Post: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar


    Hi, I'm Erin! I love food and I bet you do, too! I cook for my family and share the recipes that we love. We also like to camp, so there will be a fair bit about that around here, too.

    Let's Be Friends

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

    Recent Recipes

    Disney Trip Reports

    More Disney Posts

    Footer

    ? back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure & Terms
    • Sweepstakes Terms

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up to be notified of new posts

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Foodie Pro on the Foodie Pro Theme