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Traditional Italian Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

Traditional Italian Spaghetti Sauce

If you have been searching for a truly comforting Traditional Italian spaghetti sauce recipe, this is the one I always come back to. It is rich, hearty, fragrant, and made with simple pantry ingredients that slowly transform into something deeply flavorful. 
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 447
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 cans 28 ounces each crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon sugar optional
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 8 fresh basil leaves torn
  • 1/4 cup water or broth if needed
  • 1 pound spaghetti cooked for serving
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil: Place a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the olive oil and let it warm for about 30 seconds.
  2. Cook the onion: Add the chopped onion and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir occasionally so it cooks evenly without browning.
  3. Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
  4. Build the tomato base: Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Stir thoroughly until smooth and well combined.
  5. Season the sauce: Add sugar, salt, pepper, oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, and bay leaves. Stir again.
  6. Simmer slowly: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 60 to 75 minutes. Stir every 10 to 15 minutes to prevent sticking.
  7. Adjust consistency: If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in a little water or broth. If it is too thin, continue simmering a bit longer.
  8. Finish with fresh herbs: Remove the bay leaves. Stir in chopped parsley and fresh basil during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  9. Taste and adjust: Taste the sauce and add extra salt or pepper if needed.
  10. Serve: Spoon generously over hot cooked spaghetti. Finish with Parmesan cheese and extra basil if desired.