Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I put on spaghetti if I don't have sauce? ›

Simply melt butter and sprinkle in some garlic powder. Toss your spaghetti or favorite type of pasta in this delightful mixture to create a filling and appetizing meal. This is a great way to enjoy pasta on hot days, when a heavy pasta sauce is just too filling.

IF YOU COOK spaghetti in a big pot of water, drain it, then toss it with sauce, you are pouring a lot of flavor down the drain, says Vendemmia chef Brian Clevenger. “The trick to good pasta is cooking it in the sauce,” he says. It was while working at Delfina in San Francisco that he really started to understand why.

Tossing in strips of basil, a sprig of thyme or some oregano can take your sauce to the next level. Although fresh herbs might pop a bit more, dried herbs and spices can work just as well. Sprinkling in some red pepper flakes, a pinch of parsley and a dash of salt and pepper can liven up your jarred pasta sauce.

A hefty drizzle of olive oil stirred in off the heat is also a great move. And if you're feeling really spunky, add some meaty richness to that sauce: crisp some bacon or brown sliced sausages or ground meat. For some veggie richness, sauté mushrooms or caramelize fennel in plenty of olive oil.

Seasoning Sensation: 🌿 Issue: Lack of seasoning is a common culprit. Spaghetti sauce demands a melody of flavors, so don't hold back on salt, pepper, and other herbs. Elevate with basil, oregano, and a dash of red pepper flakes for that perfect symphony.

Starting with good quality tomatoes and crushing them by hand offers great flavor and texture later on. The combination of butter and oil releases fat-soluble aromatics and gives the sauce a creamy texture. Slowly cooking the sauce in the oven creates rich caramelization without burning.

Necessary - no, and for chunky soups/sauces, it can help preserve that body. If you want a smooth texture instead, it is recommended to peel them. Tomatoes get easier to peel if you blanche them first — put them in boiling water for about a minute, and then the peel will slip right off with a gentle squeeze.

Anchovy paste is considered a hidden ingredient in spaghetti sauce because most people have no idea it is in there. You do not need much, but even a small amount creates a rich, salty base.

Why add Worcestershire sauce to spaghetti sauce? ›

If you do not have crushed or diced tomatoes, you can use tomato sauce and tomato paste instead. If using tomato paste, you will need to add 1 cup of water and allow the sauce to simmer. Worcestershire sauce – (Optional) Deepens the flavor of the sauce.

You can use either white or brown sugar. Personally, I prefer packed brown sugar, but experiment to see which gives you the best results. I also make sure to add a dollop of butter to my pasta sauce.

Carrots to the rescue

Celebrity chefs including Hugh Acheson and Giada De Laurentiis recommend using finely grated or diced carrots to lend a subtle sweetness to tomato sauces, balancing the acidity of the tomatoes without the risk of winding up with a too-sweet sauce.

Once the pasta is in the sauce, add pasta water. This is the most vital step in the process. Starchy pasta water doesn't just help thin the sauce to the right consistency; it also helps it cling to the pasta better and emulsify with the fat and cheese you're going to be adding.