Quick Weeknight Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Who knew that you could make a rich and hearty spaghetti sauce in 20 minutes? Simple and flavorful, this quick homemade spaghetti sauce is perfect.
If you love homemade spaghetti like I love homemade spaghetti, you are going to fall head over heels for this recipe.
So simple, this 20-minute quick homemade spaghetti sauce is the answer when you want rich and hearty, flavorful spaghetti sauce without having to plan hours (or days) in advance…or without opening a jar.
Perfect for Crazy Weeknights
We all know there’s no shame in popping open a jar of store bought spaghetti sauce, but if you get excited about from-scratch versions that are almost as easy as prepackaged, this recipe is for you. And me.
Not only is this quick, homemade spaghetti sauce amazingly delicious, it is also a fabulous dinner solution for a crazy weeknight when you just need a healthy, tasty, filling dinner on the table fast.
Two Secret Ingredients
Rich and hearty, there are a few key ingredients in this simple, weeknight spaghetti sauce that help replicate the flavor of a low and slow, long-simmered sauce.
First, tomato paste! The concentrated flavor of tomato paste adds a depth of flavor quickly without the need for special ingredients or longer cooking time.
Second, soy sauce.
You don’t need a lot – just a tablespoon, but that little dash of complexity does wonders for the overall flavor of this quick homemade spaghetti sauce.
The real test of success for this sauce was when I made it a while ago but didn’t tell anyone in my family it was the fast and furious version instead of our longtime favorite homemade version.
While eating, one of the boys said: “I love mom’s spaghetti sauce” and Brian said “yep, there’s nothing that can beat it.”
I almost didn’t have the heart to tell everyone that I had kind of tricked them – subbing in this quick homemade spaghetti sauce for our beloved go-to spaghetti sauce.
There’s nothing like good ol’ classic spaghetti for dinner, and this quick weeknight version is on repeat constantly at our house! Fast and flavorful! Can’t top that.
What to Serve With This
- Hot, cooked spaghetti noodles
- Divine breadsticks or this Asiago pull-apart bread
- Thrown together green salad
Quick Weeknight Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef, ground turkey, or ground pork (or a combination)
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon coarse, kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 28- ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 8- ounce can tomato sauce
- 1-2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- Hot, cooked noodles, for serving
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- In a large 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground meat, onion, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper, breaking the meat into small pieces as it cooks, until the meat is not longer pink.
- Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the tomato paste, basil, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, for about a minute, until the mixture smells fragrant.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, brown sugar and soy sauce. Stir to combine.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes (or as long as you like/need).
- Serve over hot, cooked noodles.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
We make this on a regular basis. I often make a large batch and freeze it in quart bags for instant weeknight dinners. I like to cook it with half or even a quarter of the meat. I have made it with turkey and sausage. If you have frozen ground meat with onions, it comes together even quicker. Sometimes I sub worsestershire sauce for the soy. Out of necessity, I subbed balsamic for soy and left out all garlic and onions. I added a very small amount of smoked paprika. I was shocked that it was still tastey (though I prefer the original with turkey).
This was great and so easy! I was in a pinch with limited ingredients in my pantry and this was perfect. In fact, I was extra in a pinch because I didn’t have any crushed tomatoes so I used 28oz tomato sauce and one can of diced tomatoes. Worked totally fine. I look forward to trying it with the right stuff!
This was very quick easy spaghetti sauce, and tasted so much better than store bought!
Thank you for a delightful recipe!
This is fantastic, it’s become a family favorite.
Idk how many of your recipes I’ve written down in my “black book”, but here’s another to add. My husband said it reminded him of our pizza sauce. We like to use dark opal basil, red onion this time and garlic from our garden although we don’t have any tomatoes yet. Question though–is it ok to freeze any remaining sauce in a jar? And how long will it last there or if no, how long will it last in fridge?
Hi Angelina, this sauce should freeze just fine! I’m guessing if it’s well-sealed, it should freeze well for a couple of months.
This came together very fast, and my family loved it. Thank you!
I made this with ground beef and served it with spaghettini pasta. It was delicious and the consistency of the sauce was perfect. Will make again, thank you!
I made this last night and we both tasted it and thought it was excellent. My only recommendation would be to mix up 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to tenderize the meat up. Otherwise it was surprisingly good. Will serve over
angel hair pasta.
Wow, wow, wow! Loved it!
This sauce is so easy and so good. The name of the recipe doesn’t do it justice!
Can’t count the # of times we have made your 20 minute spaghetti sauce. It is so delicious!! Just talking about it makes me want to go make spaghetti for supper.
I love this recipe! Quick and easy, stove to table in 45 minutes.
I added some chopped bell pepper and a tiny bit of red pepper flakes.
Delicious! Thank you for posting.
Why the brown sugar. I am not good at cooking and I am not a fan of sweet things. Does the sugar make it “too sweet?”
It helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes but you can leave it out.
Nothing can compete with a slow-cooked sauce over a whole day, but this is a fantastic recipe for a quick sauce. I did it with whole spicy sausages instead of ground meat and it turned out great. The only thing I did differently was add a little red wine.
I’ll definitely use this recipe again when a I need a fast spaghetti sauce.
I added peppers and lots of fresh mushrooms. I made it in the Instant Pot.
I was skeptical at first to add the soy sauce, but trusted you anyway! The flavors melded perfectly together! Another Mel recipe for the win! Thank you so much!!!
Only had about an hour to make dinner. Wasn’t expecting the sauce to develop that much flavor in that short period of time. Everything was delicious. Will be making this again. Thanks
My family rarely likes what I cook but they loved my meatless spaghetti sauce. Plus it was quick and easy to make. Fail proof!
Hi. I’m looking for some input – I don’t have crushed tomatoes, but I have 1 fresh tomatoe that I’m going to peel and crush. Should I add some chicken or beef stock to make up for the liquid? Or is there something else could you suggest?
Do you have tomato sauce or tomato paste? I’m not sure one tomato will give enough tomato flavor.
I love this recipe! Use it all the time. My boyfriend is not supposed to have too much tomato in his diet so instead of the stewed tomatoes I just add 1 cup of water for the liquid. Still perfect!!
This came out really delicious. Best one I’ve tried and I had most of the ingredients in my pantry. Super simple and super satisfied! Thank you.
I did have to improvise because I was short on ingredients but still.. perfect.
** Here’s what I had to do.
I didn’t have ground meat but I did have a small package of Italian sweet sausage so I just removed one from its casing and let it sear in the pot for a little extra flavor
I didn’t have tomato paste so I used equal amounts of ketchup instead. Worked out great!
I also didn’t have basil so I replaced it with the Italian seasoning I did have. I still added the other herbs.
The onions and garlic at the beginning.. I actually let cook down on low for a really long time to caramelize a bit to add a little more flavor.
Thank you for this!
I was totally skeptical about the soy sauce! But it works and gives the sauce a great dimension!
If you take the above recipe and simple cut out the SUGAR and add 3 cooked links of Italian Sausage diced up to help with the bitter taste. It is still good and safe for the Blood Sugar levels in diabetics…. I have done it being a Diabetic for over 50 years and to me it tastes great. Better than most of the Commercially available sauces… Simple leaving the Sugar out and adding 3 links of Italian Sausage makes it taste best in my opinion. I did make it according to your recipe but I needed to alter it to be safe for me.
Just made this sauce. It is awesome and quick. My husband and daughter and I loved it. This will be my go to spaghetti sauce from now on. Thank you so very much.
I use this sauce for my stuffed shells and baked ziti. Everyone loves it. I used slice Italian sausage instead of ground beef because that is what my family prefers. Thank you for a great sauce recipe. I don’t like to use jarred sauce and this recipe has been a lifesaver.
Hubby and I loved this sauce. Will be my go to when I need a quick sauce!
Love it!! Used all the paste
Great recipe! Super easy to throw together after school in time for the dinner rush. I made over spaghetti squash for me and my husband and my kids ate over pasta win-win for all.
I made this recipe for dinner last night and it was perfect! My whole family loved it. I used half ground beef and half ground Italian sausage and the flavor was so rich and delicious, that this will forever be my go-to, easy spaghetti sauce recipe moving forward.
This is just the best recipe when it is 30mins to meltdown time!!! And soooo delicious
I omitted the meat and it was delicious! I usually simmer my Sunday sauce for hours and do i dare admit that this was better and the kids gobbled it up. Thank you!!
So unbelievably bland. I’m a huge Mel fan but this one was just not a hit. Needed so much much more flavor
This is the best sauce ever!!!! I do add spinach. It is the only spaghetti sauce I make. Thank you so much!!!!
My husband doesn’t generally like a strong “tomato” taste in his spaghetti sauces. Though hard to explain, I get what he means. This recipe worked out just right. It was a great base. I added a few extra seasonings (not much adjustment really), and was pleased with how fast, cheap, and tasty it was. The whole family liked it and that’s a first in a while for a homemade spaghetti sauce. Thank you!
Loved the ease and speed of this recipe! I added sliced mushrooms when browning the ground turkey and about 1/4 of a frozen box of chopped spinach when adding the ingredients from step 4. I chopped away at the small brick of spinach as it softened up in the simmering sauce until it completely separated.
This was so much better and I had way more sauce leftover than one 24 ounce jar of store bought sauce. Highly recommend.
Hi Mel! Would you happen to have a similar recipe but without the meat? I’m looking for a quick sauce (not marinara because sometimes i’m lazy to chop lol) since I usually have frozen meatballs and just need a good sauce to cook them in. Although I still intend to try this recipe with the meat!
Thank you!
Hey Lori, this recipe works great without the meat!
This sauce makes at least three spaghetti meals for my family. I just want to say that the leftovers are even more DELICIOUS than the day it is made. I would give the leftovers at least 10 stars if I could. And don’t forget to top the spaghetti with some Parmesan. Yum!
I agree with all the others who have commented here…so delicious and easy too. Hubby had three helpings. Thank you for posting.
This looks delicious. Do you have a brand preference for the tomatoes? Also, do you use whole wheat pasta? My husband isn’t a fan of that… so I wondered what brand you use. Thanks!
I normally use regular spaghetti noodles (not whole wheat – Brian isn’t a fan either), and I don’t really have a brand preference on tomatoes – I usually use either Hunts or Contadina. Hope that helps!
I never thought a recipe this easy and quick could be so good! It is seriously amazing!
I have tried a lot of spaghetti sauce recipes and this one wins them all! Thank you!
BTW do you have a favorite serving bowl?
Hey Janine! Glad you like this sauce! What type of serving bowl are you looking for? One for pasta or salad? Or kind of a multi-purpose?
Salad or multi-purpose for serving at the table, not the individual size. Neutral color, but not glass. Do you have anything you love that fits this description? Thanks for trying to be of help! And for all the amazing recipes, gift guides, and your great sense of humor!
Hi, thanks for trying to help! I need one for either salad or multipurpose for serving at the table, not individual size. Neutral in color. Thanks! Love your recipes and gift giving guides!
Some of my favorite serving bowls are from Crate and Barrel. The ones I have are no longer in stock because I’ve had them for a long time, but they are similar in size and shape to these ones;
https://www.crateandbarrel.com/caspian-grey-reactive-glaze-serving-bowl/s404662
https://www.crateandbarrel.com/welcome-large-serve-bowl/s377398
Can I even tell you how much I love this sauce (doubtful)?! Or attempt to count how many times I’ve made it (won’t even try). Have I already posted a comment, declaring my love (don’t even care, doing it again!)? I’m making it again tomorrow, doubling the recipe to bring to a new momma & her family. I usually use Italian sausage for the 2nd pound of meat…holy cow, so good.
Simply put, I adore this sauce…and you for bringing it into my life! Thank you, Mel!!
Haha…thank you, Nancy! So happy you love this one!
I have made this many times and use Italian sausage. Great quick homemade sauce and better the longer you let it simmer. Love the original homemade one even better, but this is a close second and much faster.
Quick,easy,and full of flavor! No use for store bought spaghetti sauces ever again
Made this for my husband and 1 year old son
He loved it !i just didn’t add so much salt and spices but it was perfect !thank you
I made this for dinner tonight on top of zoodles and served one hour dinner rolls on the side. This sauce was DELICIOUS.
It’s simmering and tastes delicious! A keeper!
This sauce is on tasty and quick..
Incredible!!!!!
Someone mentioned Instant Pot. I’m not going to pretend to be some genius, but I made your recipe, and although I didn’t have any thyme, I used my electric pressure cooker, and followed the instructions in it. Then I layered the spaghetti on top of the sauce, added 2 cups of water (3 might have been better), and then pressure cooked it for 15 minutes.
The pressure cooking reduces the liquid content, and leaves the sauce a little of the thicker side, but it is still a delicious recipe. It was a great experience making my own sauce, and since tomato paste, sauce, and crushed tomatoes are so cheap, it’s more economical the using canned sauce.
Hey, Matt – I think you ARE a genius. I’m totally going to give this a try. Thanks for sharing the details!
Do you use just plain crushed tomato and also plain tomato sauce or do you use some with spices in it already ect??
I use plain – no spices added.
Can I say how much I love this spaghetti sauce? I make it almost every other week, and the family devours it! Thanks, Mel. You’re the BEST!
Thank you, Nancy!!
Wonderful. Tastes even better the second day.