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bowl of spaghetti meat sauce with a fork and meatball
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4.50 from 2 votes

Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe

Try my Best Spaghetti Meat Sauce Recipe with spaghetti and meatballs, and you will want to make it this way every time!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time4 hours 10 minutes
Total Time4 hours 15 minutes
Course: Main Course, Sauce
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: meat spaghetti sauce, Spaghetti meat sauce
Servings: 8
Calories: 396kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound beef sausage
  • 1 pound pork loin cubed
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 4 28 oz. tomato sauce cans
  • 1 small onion or half 1 large onion, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • meatballs

See our Beef Temperature Chart for helpful tips on cooking any cut of beef!

Instructions

  • Place a large, deep pot or Dutch Oven over high heat on the stove. Add olive oil and chopped onion, and allow the onion to cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook another 2-3 minutes until the onions turn golden.
    cooking garlic and onions in a pan
  • Add beef sausage and cubed pork loin to the pot and cook until the meat browns, stirring occasionally.
    cooked meat in spaghetti meat sauce pot
  • Gradually pour in tomato sauce, then add sugar and Italian seasoning.
    seasoning spaghetti meat sauce
  • Stir and add cooked meatballs to the sauce.
    adding meatballs to spagheti meat sauce
  • Lower the heat to a simmer, then cover the pot and simmer for 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Enjoy over pasta!
    meatballs in spaghetti meat sauce

Video

Notes

  • Homemade meat sauce lasts 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, so it's a great recipe for making ahead of time. Cook it a couple of days before you plan on serving it and simply heat it up in a pot on the stove.
  • You can use frozen meatballs if you don't any fresh meatballs on hand. Prepare the meatballs according to the package directions, then follow the recipe steps to add them to the sauce.
  • You can easily freeze homemade meatball sauce. I love to make a double batch and freeze the other half. Allow the sauce to cool, then store it in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 6 months labeled with the date. Allow it to defrost on the counter when ready to use or or in the refrigerator overnight for the next day, then simmer on low for 15-20 minutes to serve.
  • If you're using homemade meatballs, prepare them the same day in the oven, air fryer, or Instant Pot, and then make the sauce. By cooking together, the flavors intensify into a delicious meat sauce recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 396kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 2171mg | Potassium: 1499mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 1525IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 5mg