𝑅𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑣𝑜𝑟𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝐻𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑎𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖 𝑆𝑎𝑢𝑐𝑒

𝐻𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑎𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖 𝑆𝑎𝑢𝑐𝑒

𝗜𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:

2 tablespoons olive oil 🫒
1 large onion, finely chopped 🧅
4 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
1 lb ground beef or ground turkey 🍖
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes 🍅
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce 🍅
2 tablespoons tomato paste 🍅
1 teaspoon dried basil 🌿
1 teaspoon dried oregano 🌿
1/2 teaspoon salt 🧂
1/4 teaspoon black pepper 🌑
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) 🌶️
1 teaspoon sugar 🍬
1/2 cup water 💧
Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish) 🌿
Grated Parmesan cheese 🧀

𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:

𝟭. 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:
Start by heating the olive oil 🫒 in a large pot over medium heat 🔥. Once the oil is hot, add the finely chopped onion 🧅 and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are soft and translucent. This step helps release the sweetness from the onions, which adds depth to the sauce. Then, add the minced garlic 🧄 and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic—it should just soften and become aromatic.

2. Brown the meat:
Add the ground beef or turkey 🍖 to the pot with the onions and garlic. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat into small crumbles as it cooks. Continue cooking for about 7-10 minutes, or until the meat is fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat from the pot to keep the sauce from becoming too greasy. This step builds the base of your sauce, with the browned meat adding richness and a savory depth to the flavor.

3. Add the tomato elements:
Stir in the crushed tomatoes 🍅, tomato sauce 🍅, and tomato paste 🍅. These three tomato elements create a thick, flavorful base for your spaghetti sauce, combining the smooth texture of the sauce with the robust flavor of crushed tomatoes. Add 1/2 cup of water 💧 to thin out the sauce slightly, as it will thicken during the simmering process. Mix everything together until well combined.

4. Season the sauce:
Now it’s time to season the sauce. Add dried basil 🌿, oregano 🌿, salt 🧂, black pepper 🌑, and the optional red pepper flakes 🌶️ for a little kick. Stir in 1 teaspoon of sugar 🍬 to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes. The combination of these herbs and spices will create that classic Italian flavor profile, enhancing the richness of the sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed at this stage.

5. Simmer the sauce:
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer 🔥 and then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot partially with a lid and let the sauce simmer for 30-45 minutes ⏳, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld together, resulting in a deep, rich sauce. If the sauce becomes too thick during cooking, you can add a little more water to achieve your desired consistency.

6. Final touches:
Once the sauce has finished simmering, remove it from the heat and stir in fresh chopped basil 🌿 for a burst of fresh flavor. This adds a final aromatic layer to the sauce, making it taste vibrant and fresh. Serve the sauce hot over cooked spaghetti noodles 🍝 and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese 🧀. The combination of savory sauce, tender noodles, and cheesy goodness makes this a perfect meal for any occasion.

7. Serve and enjoy:
Ladle the rich homemade spaghetti sauce 🍅 over your favorite pasta 🍝, sprinkle with more Parmesan 🧀, and serve with a side of garlic bread or a simple salad. The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or frozen for later use. Enjoy the comforting, hearty flavors of this classic Italian dish!

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 𝟭𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 | 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 𝟰𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 | 𝗧𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 𝟭 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿 | 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 𝟲-𝟴 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 | 𝗞𝗰𝗮𝗹: 𝟮𝟴𝟬 𝗸𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴

~ Donald Recipes