Easy Spaghetti Sauce

If you’re looking for a simple yet flavorful, homemade, easy spaghetti sauce that comes together quickly and tastes like it’s been simmering all day, this is the recipe for you.

I think that typically the problem with generically easy spaghetti sauces are they don’t give much time for building flavor. But this recipe does not lack in flavor whatsoever. With the help of a few non-traditional (but pantry staples!) flavor enhancers this recipe doesn’t lack flavor at all.

In researching about spaghetti sauce, I came across a few recipes that had soy sauce in them and a few others that had balsamic vinegar. I decided to add those 2 ingredients to my spaghetti sauce recipe and it helped so much with flavors in a quick, easy spaghetti sauce.

I promise you are going to love how this easy spaghetti sauce tastes. The longer this simmers, the better it tastes, but in less than 30 minutes you’ll have a delicious and flavorful homemade dinner.

This homemade, easy spaghetti sauce is not only easy to make but also freezes beautifully, so you can stock up for busy nights. You’ll never need to buy jarred sauce again once you’ve tasted this rich, hearty version. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just looking for a quick weeknight meal, this sauce will become your go-to recipe!

If you’re looking for another easy and quick pasta dishes try this 1-Pot Alfredo or this yummy and quick Pasta Rosa!

Originally posted on 11/22/2019. Updated Pictures and slightly updated recipe on 11/22/24. See recipe notes if you are looking for the original recipe.

30-Minute Spaghetti Sauce

Print Recipe

Quick, from-scratch, easy spaghetti sauce with delicious flavor for an easy meal.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: serves 6-8 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey or sausage)

1 small yellow onion, diced small

3 garlic cloves, minced

1, 6-oz can tomato paste *see notes

1 teaspoon dried basil (or 2–3 Tablespoons fresh basil, chopped fine)

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon thyme

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

2, 8 oz cans of tomato sauce

1, 32 oz can crushed tomatoes

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon soy sauce

Instructions

In a large pot add chopped onions and ground beef. Cook till meat is done and drain excess fat.

Add garlic to the meat mixture and sauté for a minute or two. Add tomato paste and stir till meat is evenly coated.

Add in the basil, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and soy sauce and stir well to combine.

Turn heat to medium low to low sauté for 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes. At this point you can remove from heat and serve over noodles.

Notes

Step-by-step pictures and Frequently Asked Questions below recipe card.

If you want a thicker sauce, simmer for about half an hour, stirring every few minutes.

Before updating the recipe this recipe called for 3 Tablespoons of tomato paste. I have been making it with a full can the last year and it tastes nearly identical and doesn’t have waste. If you are using a tube of tomato paste, feel free to use the original 3 tablespoons

Frequently Asked Questions – Easy Spaghetti Sauce