Homemade Pasta Sauce Recipe // You Never Have To Buy It In A Jar Again!

We had some new friends over last month, and that always makes me a little nervous. It's kind of stressful to think of what to make for dinner when you don't know your guests all that well. I usually stick with Taco Night, but we did that the last few times we've had people over and I wanted to mix things up at least a little. Spaghetti is typically a safe choice. It's also really easy to make a meal out of-just add a salad and garlic bread and you are done! 

So I went with pasta! During dinner, the husband said "Well, Kristen, I think this is the best sauce I've ever had!" His wife piped in with, "That's because he's used to Prego." I was almost embarrassed to tell them just how easy it is to make! 

That's why I want to share my recipe with you today. Who doesn't appreciate an easy, crowd pleasing meal that seems fancier than it actually is!? 

        

My Ikea dutch oven may have been the best purchase I've ever made!

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Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 cloves minced garlic

1 small chopped yellow onion

1 small chopped green bell pepper (optional)

1 6 oz can tomato paste

1 15 oz can diced tomatoes & liquid

1 28 oz can crushed tomato

Dried oregano

Dried basil

Salt & pepper

Freshly torn rosemary

Freshly torn basil

Heat olive oil in large saucepan or dutch oven on medium low.

Add garlic, onion and option bell pepper. Simmer until fragrant and onions sweat. About 4 minutes.

Reduce heat to low. Stir in tomato paste. Then add diced tomatoes and the liquid from the can. Stir in crushed tomato.

Season with oregano, both kinds of basil, rosemary, salt and pepper to taste. Save some fresh basil for garnish.

Cover and simmer on low for at least 30 minutes, but all day if you’d like. Stirring occasionally.

Garnish with fresh basil and serve over the pasta of your choice. Feel free to add in cooked ground beef, meatballs or any vegetarian meat substitute. My suggestion is to add it in and allow to simmer at least another 20 minutes before serving.

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I absolutely love making this sauce on days when I'm going to be home all afternoon. There is just something so wonderful about having dinner simmering on the stove. It makes the whole house smell so good! The longer it simmers the better it tastes, but it still works just fine if you only have 30 minutes. 

Before going vegetarian, I added ground beef which was really good. Now we just eat it plain, but I have added vegetarian meatballs as well. 

Oh, and a note on the bell pepper! It really adds a lot of flavor, but I know some people don't like them or it upsets their stomach. Basically, I add one if I have one on hand, but it's still good without it. 

Leave a comment below if you stress out about what to make for guests! I'd love to know what your go-to recipe is for a crowd pleasing. Do you have a 'secret' recipe that is actually a lot easier than people think?! 

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