Famous Spaghetti Sauce Recipe (Skillet, Crockpot, or Vegetarian)

Why This Is Our “Famous” Spaghetti Sauce

This may not be a world-renowned sauce, but in our home, it’s legendary! This famous spaghetti sauce recipe has been passed down from my friend Brandy’s mom, and it’s been a staple for years in their family—and now in mine. The savory depth of flavor, perfect seasoning, and thick texture make it our go-to every time we want a comforting, hearty meal.

Whether you’re prepping dinner for your family or bringing a dish to a potluck, this spaghetti sauce elevates any pasta night. It’s rich, flavorful, easy to freeze, and even customizable depending on your taste or dietary preference!

Why We Love This Spaghetti Sauce

This recipe is incredibly versatile and far more flavorful than store-bought sauces. Here’s why it’s earned its “famous” status:

• Easy to make and uses pantry staples
• Perfect balance of herbs, richness, and tomato flavor
• Great for meal prep—freezes well!
• Customizable: go meatless or meaty
• Can be simmered in a skillet, cooked in a Crockpot, or adjusted for vegetarian diets

Ingredients Overview

This sauce comes together with a few basic ingredients you likely have on hand. Here’s what makes it great:

• Ground meat: Adds flavor and heartiness. Use beef, turkey, or sausage.
• Tomatoes (canned or fresh): Provide the base. Fresh tomatoes give a garden-fresh feel, while canned are convenient and consistent.
• Onion and garlic: Essential for a savory foundation.
• Herbs and spices: Oregano, basil, and salt build flavor. Add red pepper flakes for a kick.
• Sugar (optional): Balances acidity in the tomatoes.

How to Cook It: 3 Easy Ways

🧑‍🍳 Skillet Method

Simmer in a large skillet for about an hour, letting flavors develop and thicken. This is our go-to method for quick stovetop dinners. (Here’s our favorite skillet.)

🍲 Crockpot Method

Add all ingredients to your slow cooker and let it cook low and slow—perfect for busy days.

🌱 Vegetarian Option

Simply omit the meat and add diced veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or peppers for a hearty plant-based alternative.

Ways to Customize Your Famous Spaghetti Sauce

You can easily adjust this famous spaghetti sauce to suit your family’s preferences. Here are a few ideas:

• Add more herbs like basil or oregano for a stronger herbal note
• Include red pepper flakes for heat
• Use fresh tomatoes if you’ve got a garden bounty
• Thin it out with a splash of water
• Thicken it with extra simmering time (uncovered)

Serving Ideas

Pair this sauce with your favorite pasta (we love spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni), or try it as a base for other dishes:

• Use in homemade lasagna
• Spoon over meatballs for a quick dinner
• Top zucchini noodles for a low-carb option
• Serve with garlic bread and a side salad for a complete meal

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze the famous spaghetti sauce?
Yes! Let it cool completely and store in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. Just reheat and serve.

Can I use fresh tomatoes?
Absolutely. Substitute an equal amount of fresh diced tomatoes in place of canned for a garden-fresh flavor.

What meat works best in this sauce?
Ground beef, ground turkey, or Italian sausage are all great choices. You can also mix meats for more flavor.

How can I make this spicier or sweeter?
Add red pepper flakes for heat or a teaspoon of sugar to mellow the acidity. Taste and adjust as needed.

More Pasta Recipes You’ll Love

• Easy Homemade Lasagna
• Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
• Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bake

Final Thoughts

Mom’s famous spaghetti sauce is a family treasure, and once you try it, you’ll see why. It’s the kind of recipe that becomes a tradition—comforting, flavorful, and flexible. Make a big batch and enjoy a cozy dinner now, with extras for later. Don’t forget to pair it with a side salad, garlic bread, or our favorite homemade French bread!

Mom’s Famous Spaghetti Sauce (Skillet, Crock-pot, or Vegetarian)

Enjoy this delicious homemade spaghetti sauce recipe! The whole family will love it!

5 / 5 ( 6 Reviews )

Print Rate

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 hours hours

Total Time: 5 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Serves: 6

Adjust Servings: 6

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Slow Cooker

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef turkey, or sausage
• 1 small onion diced
• 5 to 6 garlic cloves finely minced
• 14.5 oz can or fresh diced tomatoes
• 2 cans tomato sauce 15 oz cans/425 gram cans
• 15 ounces water filled sauce can
• 1 cup mushrooms diced (optional)
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• ¼ teaspoon dried sage
• sugar sprinkle (optional)
• salt
• pepper

Instructions

Skillet

• In a large skillet, cook the meat, onions, and garlic over medium heat until the meat is cooked through. Drain any excess grease, if necessary. Add the tomatoes and tomato sauce. Fill one of the tomato sauce cans with water, then add the water to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Stir in remaining ingredients.
• Simmer, covered, for about 1 to 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally. May have to add more water, herbs, and garlic to your liking.
• Uncover 15-20 minutes before it is done to thicken sauce. Serve over spaghetti.

Slow Cooker

• Brown meat and onions in skillet.
• Transfer to the slow cooker, add remaining ingredients, mix well, cover, and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.

Vegetarian

• Follow the directions above except eliminate the meat and add 1 cup of diced zucchini and 1 cup of diced squash. Saute vegetables in some olive oil for 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients.
• Simmer, covered, for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Freezer

• Prepare as directed above, portion into ziploc freezer bags, and lay flat and freeze.
• Thaw in the fridge for up to 24 hours, and reheat in a skillet.

Nutrition

Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 16g | Sodium: 1343mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 12g