Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Note: This is my dad’s recipe. Not sure if I was supposed to share… 🤫

Prep Time: 20–25 minutes
Cook Time: About 4 hours
Total Time: About 4½ hours
Serving Size: 1 cup
Number of Servings: Makes a very large batch
Calories & Macros per Serving: Varies based on portion size and meat blend

Ingredients

• 2–3 lb ground beef
• 1–2 lb ground pork (or use Italian sausages)
• 2 cans tomato juice (46 oz each)
• 2 cans crushed tomatoes (28–30 oz each)
• 1 can diced tomatoes (28 oz)
• 1 can tomato paste (12 oz)
• 3 onions, chopped
• 3–4 carrots, chopped
• 3–4 celery stalks, chopped
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1–2 zucchinis, diced
• 2 bell peppers, chopped
• 1–2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• ¼–½ teaspoon cayenne
• 2–3 bay leaves
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions

1. Heat a large pot over medium heat with a little olive oil.

2. Add chopped onions and cook until soft.

3. Add the ground beef and ground pork. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned.

4. Add all chopped vegetables and stir.

5. Add the 12 oz tomato paste and cook 1–2 minutes. This removes bitterness.

6. Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato juice. Stir well.

7. Add Italian seasoning, cayenne, and bay leaves.

8. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.

9. Transfer the pot to the oven at 350°F for 45 minutes.

10. Lower the oven to 275–280°F and cook 3 hours, stirring every 30–45 minutes.

11. Remove the bay leaves before serving.

Tips

• Taste halfway through and adjust salt or seasoning.
• Slow cooking blends flavors and naturally sweetens the sauce.
• Freezes extremely well.
• Great for pasta, lasagna, stuffed peppers, or meat bowls.
• Works with any ground meat blend.