How to Make Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: January 17, 2023 Tested

If you want to control the flavors and ingredients in spaghetti sauce, create your own! For a quick tomato and olive oil sauce that tastes fresh, simmer canned tomatoes in garlic, olive oil, and fresh basil. You can also make a meat spaghetti sauce that uses classic herbs and cooks until the meat is tender. Marinara sauce is also easy to make at a moment's notice. Just sauté a little onion and garlic in olive oil before you add red wine and tomatoes. Then cook the sauce until the tomatoes soften and lose their shape.

Ingredients

Quick Tomato and Olive Oil Sauce

6 cloves garlic
8 tablespoons (120 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 28-ounce (794 g) can of whole plum tomatoes packed in tomato juice
Salt and pepper to taste
10 basil leaves

Makes 2 cups (450 g) of sauce

Classic Spaghetti Sauce with Meat

2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
1 pound (450 g) lean ground beef
1 cup (150 g) diced yellow onion
2 teaspoons (6 g) minced garlic
6 ounces (170 g) tomato paste
2 teaspoons (3 g) dried basil
1 teaspoon (1 g) dried oregano
1 teaspoon (4 g) dry thyme leaves
½ teaspoon (1 g) fennel seed, lightly crushed
½ teaspoon (3 g) salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 28-ounce (794 g) can of whole or crushed San Marzano tomatoes
2 cups (470 ml) beef broth
2 teaspoons (8 g) sugar
¼ teaspoon (½ g) crushed red pepper flakes, optional
2 tablespoons (28 g) butter, optional

Makes 8 servings

Simple Marinara Sauce

1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons (4.5 g) minced garlic
¹⁄₂ cup (120 ml) red wine
1 28-ounce (794 g) can of crushed or chopped tomatoes in puree
1 tablespoon (4 g) chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons (7 g) kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon (1 g) freshly ground black pepper

Makes 6 servings

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Quick Tomato and Olive Oil Sauce

1
Crush 6 cloves of garlic with the back of a knife. Peel 6 cloves of garlic and set them on a cutting board. Use the flat blade of a chef's knife to press down firmly on each clove of garlic.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- The pressure will crush the garlic and release flavor.
2
Sauté the garlic in olive oil for 2 to 3 minutes. Put the crushed garlic into a non-reactive saucepan and pour in 5 tablespoons (74 ml) of the extra-virgin olive oil. Turn the burner to medium and heat the garlic until it becomes golden brown.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Stir the garlic occasionally so it cooks evenly.
Advertisement
3
Stir in the tomatoes with their juice and season with salt and pepper. Open a 28-ounce (794 g) can of whole plum tomatoes and stir the tomatoes with their juice into the saucepan. Add salt and pepper according to your taste.^{[3]
X
Research source}
4
Stir and simmer the sauce for 10 to 15 minutes over medium-high heat. Turn the burner up to medium-high so the sauce begins to bubble steadily. Stir the sauce occasionally as it cooks and thickens.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- The tomato juice should evaporate as the sauce cooks.
5
Stir in the rest of the olive oil and crush the tomatoes with a spoon. Turn the burner to high and stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons (44 ml) of olive oil. Use the back of a wooden spoon to crush the tomatoes.^{[5]
X
Research source}
6
Cook the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes and turn off the burner. Continue to simmer the sauce until the oil turns red. Then turn off the burner and serve the sauce.^{[6]
X
Research source}
7
Stir in fresh basil and serve the sauce over pasta. Add 10 fresh basil leaves and stir them into the sauce. You can leave the basil whole or chop it. Spoon the sauce over cooked pasta and serve it immediately.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Store the leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 6 months.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Classic Spaghetti Sauce with Meat

1
Cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat for 7 to 8 minutes. Pour 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of olive oil into a large skillet or Dutch oven and turn the burner to medium. Stir in 1 pound (450 g) of lean ground beef, 1 cup (150 g) of diced yellow onion, and 2 teaspoons (6 g) of minced garlic. Stir and cook the meat mixture until the beef is browned and crumbly.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Since you're using lean ground beef, there shouldn't be much grease to drain off. If the meat is very greasy, drain off excess grease before finishing the sauce.
2
Add the tomato paste, basil, oregano, thyme, fennel, and optional crushed pepper. Scoop 6 ounces (170 g) of tomato paste into the skillet and add the herbs. Stir well to combine the ingredients and cook the sauce over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.^{[9]
X
Research source}
3
Add the tomatoes, broth, and sugar and simmer the sauce for 30 minutes. Open a 28-ounce (794 g) can of whole or crushed San Marzano tomatoes and pour it into the skillet. Stir in 2 cups (470 ml) of beef broth and 2 teaspoons (8 g) of sugar. Turn the burner to medium-high so the sauce comes to a boil. Reduce the temperature to low and let the sauce bubble gently for 30 minutes.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Keep the lid off of the sauce so some of the liquid evaporates and the sauce thickens.
- Simmer the sauce for up to 2 hours for a more flavorful and tender sauce.
4
Adjust the flavorings and add the butter if the sauce is too acidic. Taste the sauce and add more herbs or salt and pepper according to your taste. If the sauce tastes too harsh or bitter, stir in the optional 2 tablespoons (28 g) of butter.^{[11]
X
Research source}
5
Turn off the burner and serve the classic meat sauce. Spoon the meat sauce over cooked pasta or use it as a filler for homemade lasagna. You can also flavor the meat sauce with freshly grated parmesan cheese.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Refrigerate the leftover sauce in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days or freeze it for up to 6 months.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Simple Marinara Sauce

1
Sauté the onion in olive oil for 5 to 10 minutes. Pour 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil into a large skillet and turn the burner to medium. Once the oil shimmers, stir in 1 chopped yellow onion. Cook and stir the onion occasionally until it's clear.^{[13]
X
Research source}
2
Add the minced garlic and sauté it for 1 minute. Stir 1 1/2 teaspoons (4.5 g) of minced garlic into the skillet and cook it until it becomes fragrant. Stir it constantly to prevent it from burning.^{[14]
X
Research source}
3
Pour in the wine and cook the sauce for 3 minutes. Turn the burner to high and pour in ¹⁄₂ cup (120 ml) of red wine. Stir the bottom of the skillet well to deglaze the pan. Cook the sauce until the wine evaporates.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- You can use any good table wine such as burgundy, chianti, or pinot noir.
- If you'd like to leave out the wine, substitute chicken, beef, or vegetable stock.
4
Add the tomatoes, parsley, salt, and pepper. Open a 28-ounce (794 g) can of crushed or chopped tomatoes in puree and add it to the sauce. Stir in 1 tablespoon (4 g) of chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, 1 1/2 teaspoons (7 g) of kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of freshly ground black pepper.^{[16]
X
Research source}
5
Simmer the sauce for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce bubble gently. Stir it occasionally as the flavors develop and the sauce thickens a little.^{[17]
X
Research source}
6
Serve the marinara sauce. Turn off the burner and immediately spoon the marinara over cooked pasta. You can also use the marinara as a dipping sauce for garlic bread or bread sticks.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- Store the leftover marinara sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or freeze it for up to 6 months.

Community Q&A

Question

What’s the secret ingredient to great spaghetti sauce?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

There’s no one special ingredient, but olive oil, fresh garlic, and red wine are all awesome flavor boosters.
Question

What does baking soda do to spaghetti sauce?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Baking soda neutralizes the acid in spaghetti sauce, making it less tart. However, many chefs recommend using sugar instead for a more complex, well-balanced flavor.
Question

How do I make my spaghetti sauce smooth?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Using tomato paste instead of diced or whole tomatoes will result in a smoother sauce. The ingredients will also soften more if you simmer the sauce for a long time.