This rich spaghetti sauce is surprisingly easy to make. It's so thick and delicious I bet you'll never purchase the jarred stuff again!

I set out to make my own spaghetti sauce a few years ago and was pleasantly surprised by how simple it was. I've been making it this way ever since!

It's almost as easy as using the store-bought kind. It really is! Especially because even when I was purchasing a ready made sauce I found myself adding extra herbs and seasonings to make it even better. (I know, I know. You may think that's not necessary but I'm a little extra about my food, okay? So let's not act all surprised.)

To make this sauce you'll brown your ground turkey or beef. Then add in canned crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, garlic, and seasonings. Let it all simmer together for about 10 to 15 minutes or until it's all heated through and your flavors have had time to marry together. That's it! It really is so simple but tastes incredible!

The ingredients are simple. I don't even include sautéed onion (gasp!) or bell peppers because I want even the small children to love it. I assure you this sauce has tons of big flavor without them!

Serve over your favorite pasta, spaghetti squash (see my recipe for Roasted Spaghetti Squash), or zoodles. You can even add it to the top of roasted veggies for a satisfying but light meal!

How much spaghetti sauce should I make?

This is a very easy recipe to double so before you start cooking consider how much sauce you think you'll really need.

A single batch of this recipe is enough for 4 people if you don't want any leftovers and you don't anticipate anyone wanting extra helpings. When I'm just making this for my family this is plenty because I'm feeding two adults and two children. My daughter eats a small serving so my husband and son can still go back for seconds with no problem.

A double batch can serve 8 people or 4 to 6 people who may want extra helpings. I often choose to double this recipe so that my family of 4 will have leftovers! Because who doesn't want leftovers?! This spaghetti sauce is soooooooo good the second day!

How to freeze spaghetti sauce?

Let the sauce cool completely. Pour into a freezer safe container and seal. Sauce will keep for 3 to 4 months in the freezer.

To thaw, let the sauce thaw (sealed in the container you froze it in) in a sink of cool water. Once thawed, pour sauce into a pot on the stovetop to reheat or in a large microwave safe bowl for the microwave. You can also reheat it from frozen (no thawing required) by adding it to your slow cooker and letting it cook for 5 to 6 hours on low.

The Easiest Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

This rich spaghetti sauce is surprisingly easy to make. It's so thick and delicious I bet you'll never purchase the jarred stuff again!

Yield: 4 people

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 25 mins

  • 1 tbsp olive or avocado oil
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey or beef, I use 93% lean ground turkey.
  • 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, I prefer fire-roasted.
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

  • Add oil to a skillet on the stove top. Heat to medium-high heat. Once pan is hot, add the ground meat. Saute the meat, stirring occasionally, until browned. If your turkey or beef isn't very lean you may want to drain the grease. (I find that isn't necessary when using 93% lean.)

  • Reduce heat to medium low. Add canned crushed tomatoes, water, tomato paste, garlic, oregano, basil, parsley, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper to skillet with the meat. Stir to combine. Cover and gently simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until everything is heated through and flavors have married.

  • Serve over your favorite pasta, spaghetti squash (see my recipe for Roasted Spaghetti Squash), or zoodles. You can even add it to the top of roasted veggies for a satisfying but light meal!

Nutrition information assumes you use 93% lean ground turkey.

Calories: 284 kcal , Carbohydrates: 19 g , Protein: 25 g , Fat: 14 g , Saturated Fat: 3 g , Cholesterol: 84 mg , Sodium: 1019 mg , Potassium: 964 mg , Fiber: 5 g , Sugar: 10 g , Vitamin A: 705 IU , Vitamin C: 22 mg , Calcium: 120 mg , Iron: 5 mg