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This Homemade Spaghetti Sauce is rich and hearty, packed with fresh tomatoes and savory spices. One bite and you’ll be hooked!
This homemade spaghetti sauce is savory, fresh and beats the canned stuff from the pantry any day! I’ve been making my own spaghetti sauce with fresh tomatoes for years now and I love it. It’s so easy to make, and the flavor is so much better than the store-bought kind. I love making this sauce with diced tomatoes from my garden, fresh herbs like fresh basil and fresh parsley. You can’t beat the flavor of homegrown produce in a dish like this one!
Ingredients in Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
This homemade spaghetti sauce recipe is a staple at our house, and will be at yours too! Top your spaghetti noodles with this fragrant, fresh pasta sauce and your family will love it! Here’s what you need:
- Tomatoes – fresh, garden tomatoes work best. I start with about a dozen or so, depending on how large they are. If you can’t find good, fresh tomatoes, you can use a couple of cans of crushed tomatoes.
- Onion – One large onion, diced or chopped with a food processor.
- Mushrooms – I love using fresh, chopped mushrooms for this marinara sauce. Homegrown vegetables give a nice bulk to this sauce.
- Soy sauce – I know it sounds weird, but soy sauce gives the mushrooms a wonderful meaty flavor that can’t be beat! Whenever I make sautéed mushrooms I always add a splash of soy sauce.
- Additional Seasonings – garlic, fresh basil and oregano, a little brown sugar, and salt and pepper to taste.
What Tomatoes are Best for Spaghetti Sauce?
Garden tomatoes are the way to go, in my opinion (check out our awesome guide for growing tomatoes, trust me, we have some amazing tips). As far as tomato varieties go, choose tomatoes that have a rich flavor and are less watery. Roma tomatoes, also known as plum tomatoes, are a popular choice because of their meaty texture and fewer seeds. San Marzano tomatoes, often considered the gold standard for sauces, have a sweet, low-acid flesh that adds depth to your sauce. You can get them at the grocery or online for under $5. Heirloom tomatoes can also be a great choice, offering unique and complex flavors. If you have an abundance of cherry or grape tomatoes, they can contribute a sweet twist to your sauce. Keep in mind that the type of tomato you choose will impact the sauce’s flavor, so consider the balance of sweetness and acidity that you desire and taste as you go!
Additions to this Sauce
Once you have a sauce simmering on the stove, you can add all kinds of meat to create a luscious meat sauce. I will often do a mixture of ground beef and ground pork but Italian sausage, ground turkey, ground chicken, beef short ribs, or even meatballs can be added for more protein.
More Garden Fresh Ingredients
If you like a “chunky” homemade garden spaghetti sauce, just chop up any veggies you like and stir them in while sautéing the onions.
- Red bell pepper
- Green bell pepper
- Carrots, shredded or finely chopped.
- Red pepper flakes
- Zucchini
Soy Sauce in Spaghetti Sauce?
You may notice that soy sauce is a key ingredient in this recipe. All the Italians are dying inside right now but hear me out. Adding soy sauce to chopped mushrooms is an old trick that a chef in Utah taught me. When you add soy sauce to mushrooms while they are cooking, it gives them a rich, meaty flavor that is unparalleled. I ALWAYS add a splash of soy sauce when I sauté mushrooms. And I promise, it doesn’t make it taste weird or soy sauce-y at all. It just brings out the flavor SO much more. You have GOT to try this trick. It takes the flavor to the next level!
Roasting Fresh Tomatoes
Another suggestion for Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes comes from one of our readers, Diana. She says, “I have a suggestion for those who don’t mind the extra time it might take. I started roasting my fresh tomatoes last year for canning and wow! what a difference that made! The natural sugars come out and it also concentrates the tomato flavor.” Here are her suggestions:
- Cut tomatoes in half, remove as much of the seeds/gel as possible into a strainer with a bowl to catch the juices and then place the halves cut side down on a large cookie pan covered with parchment paper.
- Even though you remove a lot of the seeds/tomato get before roasting, you will get a lot of liquid from roasting. Save it all and strain it.
- Roast the tomatoes at 350-400 degrees until the skins start turning color. When the skins are browned, remove the tray from the oven and drain the liquid into the strainer with the seeds/gel. Let the tomatoes cool somewhat and remove the skin.
- You can then add the tomatoes and the strained liquid/gel to the pot and process them the way you would for sauce or canning. The roasting concentrates the tomato flavor remarkably.
- Roasted Sun Golds are like candy after halving and roasting. Cut them in half, add chopped onion and garlic, red bell pepper, and some olive oil. Roast at about 325 since they are small and the skins are thin. No need to remove seeds or skins…just blend in the food processor.
No Fresh Tomatoes? No Problem!
Home-grown tomatoes are delicious in this recipe but fresh, garden tomatoes can be hard to come by year-round. Whenever we can’t use fresh tomatoes, we always use DOP San Marzano Tomatoes. They are THE best alternative to homegrown tomatoes. We even use San Marzano tomatoes before resorting to store-bought tomatoes. For this recipe we use two 28oz. cans of tomatoes. We prefer using whole tomatoes as opposed to crushed tomatoes (most DOP tomato brands only come with whole tomatoes) and simply mash them with a potato masher as the sauce cooks down.
Low and Slow for Thick Sauce
To thicken your sauce, slow and steady is your ticket. Last time I made this, I had it simmering for eight hours (uncovered, stirring occasionally). Trust me, the longer you can let it simmer, the better! If you are finding that the water isn’t evaporating as quickly as you would like or it isn’t thickening up how you want it to, there is an easy fix. Just add some tomato paste, about a tablespoon at a time, until you reach the consistency you are looking for. You can also blend chunks of tomatoes in an immersion blender and add to the sauce for extra thickness.
Freeze for Later
Spaghetti Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes will stay good in the refrigerator for about three to four days. Any longer than that, you may just want to freeze it for later.Make a double batch of this glorious sauce and freeze it in a freezer safe Tupperware-type container, a large freezer-safe Ziploc bag, or a glass jar. If you do go the glass jar route, make sure to leave an inch or two of space at the top of the jar so the sauce doesn’t expand and break the jar. When freezing, make sure to cool the sauce completely in the fridge before freezing. The sauce will stay nice and fresh in the freezer for up to six months. Low on freezer space or prefer to can your sauce? Try our homemade canned spaghetti sauce!
More Homemade Pasta Sauce Recipes
Looking for more delicious pasta sauces you can pair with your spaghetti? Try one of our other homemade savory pasta sauce recipes! If you are looking for more of an authentic Italian tomato sauce, try our Pomodoro sauce recipe (Sugo di Pomodoro). This recipe comes directly from Italy and pairs perfectly with spaghetti. If you have lots of tomatoes and are looking for more long-term storage for your spaghetti sauce, try our homemade canned spaghetti sauce. Then you can enjoy your sauce all-year round! For Ravioli, try our Homemade Ravioli Sauce.
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes
Video
Ingredients
- 12-14 tomatoes (fresh, garden tomatoes work best- appx. 6-8 lbs. You can also use two 28oz. cans of San Marzano tomatoes)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 8 ounces mushrooms fresh, chopped
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce (see notes above)
- 6 cloves garlic
- 10-12 basil leaves chopped
- 1 tablespoon oregano finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Place tomatoes a few at a time in the water and remove after 10-15 seconds.
- Immediately place tomatoes in an ice-water bath and remove skins and stems. Cut tomatoes into fourths and place in a food processor or blender.
- Process tomatoes a few times, you want them to be the consistency of crushed tomatoes (don’t over process). Set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet. Add onions and sauté until they become soft and transparent.
- Add mushrooms and cook for about 2-3 minutes. Add soy sauce and garlic and continue to cook until mushrooms become soft.
- Add tomatoes, basil, oregano, brown sugar, salt and pepper.
- Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally for at least one hour. The longer the better! Ideally 2+ hours.
- Serve over cooked pasta.
Love this
Any thoughts on adding meat?? if so, how and when? 🙂
Yes! Ground beef or sliced Italian sausage are some of our favorites. We cook it in a separate pan and add it right before serving.
I made this using fresh tomatoes during the summer but now we are into winter I must use canned tomatoes. My conversion chart indicates 1 pd of tomatoes = 14.5 oz diced canned tomatoes. Since I want to make the max of 10 lbs of fresh tomatoes, this would be 5 – 28oz cans of diced tomatoes. Is this correct? I question this because the recipe indicates it is for 6 servings which does not seem right.
We love this recipe! If you want a tasty sauce this is it. I believe the soy sauce is the secret ingredient. I do add an 1/8 tsp ground fennel. My husband suffers from acute pancreatitis and this doesn’t cause a flair up. I do cook the sauce longer then the recipe calls for. I simmer about an hour covered so tomatoes break down, then about 2 hours uncovered.
Flavor is great! As a first timer, easy to make..
This is the best spaghetti sauce recipe I have made and I was really happy to find a “big batch” recipe.
The only things I did a bit differently were to add 2 additional 12 oz cans of tomato paste (total of 24 oz), simmered for about 6 hours to get to my desired thickness, and I asded 2 packets of dry IGA brand spaghetti sauce seasoning just because I had gotten it for free and needed to use it so I threw it in.
Other than that I made it as is and it turned our perfect! Thank you!!
this is a great recipe. i love it just as is,,,,i didnt add anything else to it,,,love it thanks so much
This sauce was amazing! Very flavorful. I grow my own tomatoes and had a bumper crop this year. I have never made my own pasta sauce though. This was very easy to make. I just used a mix of different tomatoes (Rio Grande paste, Early Girl, Brandywine, Mountain Fresh and even a Yellow Boy). I followed the recipe to a “T” except for the garlic. I used garlic powder. Let it cook down for about 4 hours. My husband was blown away. I am going to make the puree and freeze it so I can do fresh sauce all winter. No idea how I will ever eat grocery store jarred sauce again. Thanks for this wonderful recipe!
I made the sauce. Not much taste if u ask me. So no soy sauce added. Just 1 tsp of reg sugar. If you truly want Italian sauce add your spices at the very end. Also throw in a carrot peeled pull it out at the end. Absorbs the acids. Also add some parm cheese rind pull that out too when it’s done. Adds a Amazing flavor. Just something to try or think about. Thanks for the recipe.
Can this recipe be canned? I was worried about mushrooms. I use water bath.
This recipe has not been tested for canning but you can freeze it! Make a double batch of this glorious sauce and freeze it in a freezer safe Tupperware-type container, a large freezer-safe Ziploc bag or a glass jar. If you do go the glass jar route, make sure to leave an inch or two of space at the top of the jar so the sauce doesn’t expand and break. When freezing, make sure to cool the sauce completely in the fridge before freezing.The sauce will stay nice and fresh in the freezer for up to six months.
I would say yes. I water bath my pickles with onions, mushrooms, and peppers and they can very well
Ca this be frozen?
Absolutely!
This was my first time making this and its absolutely delicious
Having been raised by an Italian Mom and my Nana we always made pasta sauce from scratch. The best tomato to use (I’m growing then now) are San Marzana Tomatoes, 2nd best are Roma tomatoes. My wife and I make spaghetti alla Puttanesca (a dish to die for) the recipe calls for anchovies, capers, kalamata olives, garlic and tomatoes. You can look up the meaning, recipe and history of this authentic sauce. It takes as long as it takes to cook the pasta. I also make my own pastas, breads and so on. Never used soy sauce in my sauce or had to use sugar.
This is all great information! Thank you for sharing with us. I am sure your bread and sauce is amazing!!
First time making Spaghetti Sauce using my homegrown tomatoes. My husband said it was the best sauce he ever ate and that we will no longer purchase store bought Spaghetti Sauce, and he meant it. Guess I better get to making more and freezing it. Thank you for a great recipe.
Wow! That is impressive! Way to go!! This homemade spaghetti sauce is so easy to make. Glad that you all loved it!
I made this with the suggested ‘roasting’ in the oven for the tomatoes. The recipe was way too sweet for husband and I so I’ll make it again w/o the sugar. I cooked it for 5 hours
Am trying this now with the roasted tomato option. Am wondering if I should cover the pot or not while it simmers. I’m using a cast iron pot.
Leave the pot uncovered. Hope you enjoy the sauce!
I love this recipe. I wanted to share a way to do mushrooms that also truly takes them to another level.
Dry cook them first. I truly mean throw them in a pan sliced your desired way completely dry. My friend learned this in Italy and it has taken every mushroom recipe I make now to an out of this world level. The texture and flavor I can’t put into words. When I make them people can’t keep their hands outa my pan so I tend to make extra. Add your soy sauce once cooked to draw out even more flavor or a little garlic salt. Add your sautéed onions separately to the sauce.
If you have never cooked mushrooms this way give it a shot. I promise you will not be disappointed.
Definitely will do it that way. Thank you
Real italians would never use sugar or soy sauce. Even mushrooms and onion are a matter of taste. When I make sauce (or gravy) I make it the italian way and people love it.
Soy sauce is just a different way of adding salt. Onions and basil provide sweetness, but there is nothing wrong with adding an extra pinch of sugar if needed. Mushrooms are internal of course, but add a lot of flavor.
My sister in law makes sauce “the Italian way” like her Italian grandmother. It is very simple, with almost nothing in it. She cooks it all day. It comes out perfectly smooth, with no texture or taste. There are no onions or visible herbs. I assume she adds garlic. But it is so bland.
Yet everyone raves about it! Why? Because it tastes amazing? No. They rave because they are expected to love what supposedly is “Grandma’s real Italian gravy”.
Who said this was supposed to be “Real Italian” It is one person’s recipe and you can like it or not. She calls it “Homemade Spaghetti Sauce.” Publish your own recipies. This was a great sauce as is.
With all respect, I don’t think anyone particularly cares what so-called ‘real Italians’ would or would not use. If you don’t approve of the recipe, don’t use it, but I really hate it when people just post on sites without having tried the recipe in any way and have nothing constructive to add.
From my perspective as a Southerner, I find it utterly ridiculous that people call spaghetti sauce ‘gravy’, anyway.
Well, not all of us are Italian, looking for that truly authentic Italian sauce. I, for one, am big on a sweet sauce and prefer to add sugar to it. We all like things differently.
OMG this is FANTASTIC ! My husband loved loved loved this recipe. He said and I agree best spaghetti sauce EVER ! This is my “wanna impress our friends who come for dinner recipe” and by the way that would be tomorrow, lol.
Saw some nice Roma maters on sale and mine are slowly coming in so what the ****- let’s make some sauce. I used forty or so leaves of fresh Basil from the back deck and double the recommendation of Oregano, also fresh picked. No mushrooms for us, diced three huge white onions finely and the flavor is amazing. I used an immersion blender. The sauce is thin but has boatloads of flavor. I’ll use this recipe after my garden harvest of Romas is done.
Awesome sauce! Love it!
Just made this recipe tonight. I do not like mushrooms so I used green peppers. The taste is great. The next time I make this recipe I will reduce the amount of salt a little, this of course, is my preference.