Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
I used Private Reserve Greek extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion
grated
- 3 garlic cloves
finely minced
- 2 carrots
finely grated, use a food processor or a grater
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup water
pasta cooking water, preferred
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp sweet Spanish paprika
- Pinch red pepper flakes
optional
- Handful fresh basil
about ½ cup packed, torn
- Handful fresh parsley
about ½ cup packed, chopped
- 3/4 lb to 1 lb of cooked pasta of your choice
Directions
- 1
In a large pan heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat until just shimmering. Add the onions, garlic, and finely grated carrots. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring regularly until softened.
- 2
Add the crushed tomatoes and about 1/2 cup water. Add a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Stir in oregano, paprika, crushed pepper flakes, if using. Finally, stir in the fresh basil and parsley.
- 3
Bring the sauce to a boil, then turn heat to low. Cover and let simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. Check partway through, and if you feel the sauce is too thick, you can add a bit more water (preferably some of your pasta cooking water). When sauce is ready, throw in more fresh basil, if you like.
- 4
If serving for dinner, add cooked pasta of your choice to the sauce. Mix to combine and let the pasta cook in the sauce over low heat for about 5 minutes.
Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
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About this Recipe
Tired of bland, jarred pasta sauce? Get ready to transform your weeknight meals with this easy homemade spaghetti sauce, a beloved family secret that's packed with flavor and uses ingredients you likely already have on hand. It's time to ditch the store-bought and embrace the rich taste of truly authentic sauce.
This recipe stands out by building a deep flavor foundation from finely grated yellow onion and carrots, which melt into the sauce, providing natural sweetness and body without chunky bits. It's the secret to achieving that rich, perfectly thick consistency that makes store-bought sauces pale in comparison, and it's surprisingly simple to prepare.
You can expect a rich, deeply savory spaghetti sauce with a delightful balance of sweet undertones from the carrots and aromatic depth from garlic and oregano. The optional pinch of red pepper flakes adds a gentle warmth, while fresh basil and parsley brighten every bite with their vibrant herbaceous notes. This isn't just a sauce; it's a comforting hug in a bowl, designed to be easy enough for any weeknight yet impressive enough for company.
Feel free to adjust the sweet Spanish paprika to your preference, or omit the red pepper flakes if you prefer no heat. For an even richer sauce, a splash of dry red wine can be added along with the crushed tomatoes. If you don't have fresh basil and parsley, you can substitute with a smaller amount of dried herbs, though fresh provides the best vibrant flavor.
Serve this versatile sauce generously over your favorite cooked pasta, making it perfect for a satisfying family dinner. A simple green salad and some crusty bread would complete the experience beautifully.