This Spaghetti with Meat Sauce is the real deal, made with rich, robust flavors from ground beef, Italian sausage, and fresh herbs. Simmered to perfection in a savory tomato sauce and tossed with pasta, it's a cozy meal you’ll make again and again.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients for Spaghetti Meat Sauce
• 🔪 How to Make Italian Spaghetti Sauce
• 💡 Tips for Making Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 What to Serve with Homemade Spaghetti
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• Can I Prepare the Sauce in Advance?
• What if My Sauce is Too Thin?
• How Do I Know When the Pasta is Done Cooking?
• Can I Use a Different Type of Pasta?
• 🍽️ More Delicious Italian Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

• Classic Italian meat sauce
• Rich and robust flavors
• Easy to make in just over an hour
• Sauce is great over your favorite pasta or used in baked ziti
• Uses simple healthy ingredients

There’s truly nothing more comforting than a big plate of homemade spaghetti with meat sauce. This recipe nails all those authentic Italian flavors with a sauce that’s simmered with fresh garlic and herbs, and a splash of white wine. The combination of ground beef and Italian sausage adds perfect hearty richness to the sauce.

Once the sauce has simmered to perfection, you’ll toss the cooked pasta right into the same pot for those last few minutes. This ensures every strand soaks up the flavor. Plate it up and you’ll have a simple and incredibly flavorful dish the whole family will drool over.

If you love hearty pasta dishes that you can have on the table in a hurry, be sure to try my Penne alla Vodka.

🛒 Ingredients for Spaghetti Meat Sauce

• Ground beef
• Ground Italian sausage
• Tomato puree
• White wine (or chicken broth)
• Garlic
• Fresh basil
• Fresh parsley
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Dutch oven
• Large pot

🔪 How to Make Italian Spaghetti Sauce

Heat a Dutch oven or pot to medium and add in the ground Italian sausage and ground beef. Sauté until browned, then make a well in the center and add in the garlic.

Sauté for 15 seconds, making sure not to brown it, then pour in the white wine.  If you don’t want to use white wine, you can substitute with chicken broth.  Scrape up any brown bits of flavor.

Pour in the tomato puree, then add the water to the cans, swooshing around to grab any remaining tomato, then pour into your pot.

Add in the fresh basil, parsley, salt, pepper and (optional) sugar.  Simmer on medium low for 1 hour with an offset lid.

10 minutes before your sauce is ready, bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Once boiling, add in a healthy pinch of salt and cook your spaghetti until almost cooked through.

Drain, but do not rinse, your spaghetti, then pour it into the sauce and toss to combine.

Continue to simmer the sauce until the spaghetti is cooked to al dente.

💡 Tips for Making Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

• Simmer slowly: Allowing the sauce to simmer slowly for a full hour (or even longer if you have time) helps the flavors deepen. This slow-cooking process makes the sauce richer and allows the herbs and meat to infuse the tomatoes.

• Deglaze for added flavor:  After browning the meat, you’ll want to deglaze the pan with a splash of the white wine (or broth) and scrape the pot to lift all those browned bits. These caramelized bits add an extra layer of flavor that makes a big difference in the final dish.

• Properly cook your pasta: Since the pasta will finish cooking in the sauce, drain it when it’s just shy of al dente. This way, it absorbs some of the sauce and doesn’t turn mushy.

• Adjust thickness:  If the sauce is a bit too thick for your taste, add a few tablespoons of pasta water to reach your preferred consistency. The starchy water will also help the sauce cling better to the pasta than if using other liquids.

• Taste before serving: As the sauce simmers, taste it occasionally and adjust the salt, pepper, or herbs as needed to get the balance you like.

☑️ Storage Instructions

To store leftover spaghetti with meat sauce, let it cool to room temperature first. Then transfer it to an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. If you plan to keep it longer, divide it into portions, place it in freezer-safe containers or bags, and freeze for up to 3 months.

For reheating, you can microwave it or warm it on the stove. If the sauce thickens after storing, add a splash of water or broth while reheating to bring back the original consistency.

🍴 What to Serve with Homemade Spaghetti

This spaghetti is a hearty main course, so adding an appetizer or salad either before or with the spaghetti would be ideal. Here are some great options to consider:

• Burrata Caprese
• Easy Bruschetta
• Caprese Salad with Balsamic Reduction
• Garlic Rolls
• Antipasto Salad

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Ground meat: Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter option. Italian sausage can also be substituted with turkey sausage for a leaner sauce.

• Tomato base: Instead of tomato puree, try using crushed tomatoes or diced tomatoes for a chunkier sauce, or add tomato paste to enhance depth. San Marzano tomatoes are a popular choice for a richer flavor.

• White wine: If you'd like to skip the wine, substitute it with chicken or vegetable broth.

• Herbs: If fresh herbs aren’t on hand, use dried basil and parsley; just remember to use about one-third of the fresh amount, because dried herbs are more concentrated.  

• Added vegetables: Add chopped sauteed bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to the sauce for added texture and nutrients.  

• Spice: Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne for a bit of heat.

• Creamy sauce: For a slightly creamy twist, stir in a small splash of heavy cream or a dollop of ricotta cheese right before serving. This will give the sauce a luxurious, velvety texture.

• Parmesan rind: Adding a Parmesan cheese rind to the sauce while it simmers is a classic trick to deepen the flavors. Just remember to remove the rind before serving.

Can I Prepare the Sauce in Advance?

Absolutely! This sauce can be made a day or two ahead and stored in the fridge. The flavors deepen over time, making it even more delicious. Just reheat it gently on the stove, adding a splash of water if it’s too thick.

What if My Sauce is Too Thin?

If it’s too thin for how you like it, simmer it uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking.

How Do I Know When the Pasta is Done Cooking?

You’ll want to cook the pasta until it’s just shy of al dente, since it will continue cooking a bit in the sauce. To test, take a strand and bite into it. There should be a slight firmness in the center, but not have a raw taste.

Can I Use a Different Type of Pasta?

Spaghetti is classic, but you can substitute it with any long pasta, such as linguine, fettuccine, or angel hair. Shorter pasta like penne or rigatoni will also work well.

🍽️ More Delicious Italian Recipes

• Air Fryer Italian Sausage and Peppers
• Eggplant Lasagna
• Sausage and Peppers Hash
• Pork Marsala
• Zucchini Parmigiana
• Panzanella Salad
• Easy Bruschetta