Kay’s spaghetti and lasagna sauce is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used in a variety of dishes. This sauce is rich and flavorful, with a perfect balance of spices and herbs. It’s easy to make and perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week ahead.
Ingredients for Kay’s Spaghetti and Lasagna Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
How to make Kay’s Spaghetti and Lasagna Sauce:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the pot and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, parsley, salt, and pepper. If using, add the red wine and sugar.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let the sauce simmer for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or sugar as needed.
About the main ingredients:
- Ground beef: The ground beef adds richness and protein to the sauce. You can use lean ground beef for a healthier option or ground beef with a higher fat content for a richer sauce.
- Crushed tomatoes and tomato paste: These two ingredients form the base of the sauce, providing a rich tomato flavor and thickening the sauce.
- Spices and herbs: The combination of basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, and parsley adds depth of flavor to the sauce. Adjust the amounts to suit your taste.
- Red wine (optional): The red wine adds complexity to the sauce, but you can omit it if you prefer.
