Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

This recipe was found over at Mel's Kitchen Cafe. So easy to make and great to freeze for later. 

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce – Perfected

I’ve posted before about my favorite homemade spaghetti sauce. The original recipe came from my Aunt Marilyn via her sister-in-law. I love the recipe but since I can’t leave well enough alone, I’ve been tweaking it here and there to suit my fickle nature.

It’s finally perfected.

This is some phenomenal sauce. It satisfies every taste bud in my mouth and is definitely my family’s favorite. I can finally rest at ease that no more tweaking is needed (for now!).

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Homemade Spaghetti Sauce – Perfected

YIELD: I’VE NEVER MEASURED HOW MANY CUPS OF SPAGHETTI SAUCE THIS MAKES, BUT IT EASILY FEEDS MY FAMILY OF TWO ADULTS AND THREE CHILDREN WITH MORE THAN ENOUGH TO FREEZE FOR ANOTHER MEAL OF SPAGHETTI OR LASAGNA

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups onion, chopped and divided
• 1 red pepper, coarsely chopped
• 2 pounds hamburger (at least 90% lean)(or you can use 1 pound sausage, 1 pound beef)
• 5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 12 oz. can tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 teaspoons dried oregano
• 3 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 14-oz. can Italian-style diced tomatoes
• 2 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes
• 1 carton fresh mushrooms (optional)
• 1 1/2 cups beef stock or beef broth
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add 1/2 of the onions and saute until translucent and slightly browned. Add garlic and stir constantly for 1 minute. Add beef and cook until no red is showing. Drain beef slightly. Blend up the remaining onions and red pepper in a blender or food processor until mostly smooth. Add mixture to the garlic, onions and beef and stir to combine, cooking for another minute. Add tomato paste and spices and cook for 1 minute, stirring until combined. Add tomatoes, beef broth and sugar (and mushrooms, if using). Stir until combined and add the bay leaves.
2. Bring to a boil and then reduce to low and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Fifteen minutes before serving, stir in the balsamic vinegar.

NOTES

NOTE: The sauce will seem watery at first but will reduce to perfection after simmering for an hour. I’ve let it simmer on the stove for up to three hours before with no problems.

Make Ahead Instructions: The sauce can be made 2-3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. It also freezes beautifully. My favorite way to thaw/cook the sauce is to throw the heaping frozen mass of sauce in the slow cooker and cook it on low for about 5-6 hours. It thaws and heats up wonderfully well.