As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the Tuscan vineyards, Nonna Lucia beckoned me into her rustic kitchen, a room filled with the scent of ripened tomatoes and fresh basil. Preparing a sauce where the sweetness danced with the savory and the kind that made kids impatient and adults reminisce – the best part about this recipe? It’s super easy and fast to make!

*Psst* If you’re still looking for some ideas for Thanksgiving, this homemade sauce recipe will be the hit for the whole family – especially if you add some ground meat to it!

How to Make Homemade Sweet Spaghetti Sauce

This homemade spaghetti sauce recipe has a lot of ingredients, however, feel free to just work with what you have to make it work!

Keep reading to the end to see my secret ingredients to make it even better and your go-to spaghetti sauce!

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
1 large green bell pepper, chopped (optional)
2 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1/2 cup water or beef/chicken broth
2-3 tablespoons brown sugar (adjust based on your sweetness preference)
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional for a hint of heat)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Fresh herbs for garnish (like chopped parsley or basil)

Other Ingredients to add (optional):

Red wine – add it for a deeper flavor (add it at the same time as the crushed tomatoes in step 2)
Ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken, or Italian sausage – make sure to add it before the onions though (beginning of step 1)
Died herbs – Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes
Other fresh herbs – fresh parsley

Alternative Ingredients:

Brown sugar – honey, maple syrup, or stevia (make sure to adjust based on sweetness)
Olive oil – avocado oil or butter
Yellow onion – red onions or shallots
Crushed tomatoes – Diced tomatoes or whole peeled tomatoes (that you crush by hand or with a blender)
Tomato paste – Either omit it (for a thinner sauce) or use tomato purée or sauce in a larger quantity
Fresh herbs – use dried ones

Feel free to experiment with the ingredients – sometimes that’s how the best recipes are born based on what you have available!

Step-by-Step instructions for Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Step 1: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the chopped onion, garlic, and bell pepper – continue to cook until the onions are translucent and the peppers are soft.

Step 2: Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water or both, brown sugar, basil, oregano, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and chili flakes (optional) and mix it all well.

Note: If you use whole tomatoes, consider using a food processor to create a tomato sauce first.

Step 3: As with all Italian food – the food needs to rest, so the flavors can really mend together – so, reduce the sauce to slight boil with low heat and allow the sauce to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally – if you have a slow cooker, use that!

Tip: The longer the sauce simmers, the more the flavors will meld together and the tastier it will be.

Step 4: Before serving, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese (if you’re using it) – once it’s melted and blended into the sauce, it’s ready to serve.

Garnish with fresh herbs and enjoy this delicious sauce that will make any pasta taste even better!

This sweet spaghetti sauce is delicious as is but is also versatile enough for tweaks based on personal preference! Still looking for good additions for this recipe? We’ve got you!

Expert Tips to Make It Even More Delicious

Here are a few things to keep in mind and make it easier and more delicious!

Always use fresh tomatoes! If you have access to ripe, fresh tomatoes it will be a game-changer.
The longer the sauce simmers, the better it will taste! Use this principle with ALL Italian food and you will be amazed at the difference!
Add Parmesan rind while the sauce is simmering to infuse it with a rich, umami flavor
A red wine such as Chianti or Merlot can add depth and complexity to it, just make sure to let it cook off for several minutes to eliminate the alcohol content.
Sugar check it frequently as the sweetness can be intensified while the sauce simmers.
If your sauce is too acidic, add a small amount of baking soda to neutralize it – just be careful and a tiny bit at a time, tasting it as you go.
Finish the sauce with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil just before serving – you will thank you for this tip as it enhances both flavor and texture! Yes, this is my secret ingredient!

What to Serve Sweet Spaghetti Sauce with

This sweet spaghetti sauce is versatile and pairs well with so many other dishes!

Here are some recommendations if you’re not a spaghetti fan or just want to mix it up:

Pasta – Beyond spaghetti, this sauce works wonderfully with penne, rigatoni, fettuccine, and even lasagna sheets.
Meat – Great sauce for meatballs, grilled chicken, or Italian sausage.
Vegetarian, gluten-free, or vegan option – Serve with roasted vegetables, zucchini noodles, or vegan meat substitutes.
Breads – garlic bread, bruschetta, or a simple crusty Italian loaf
Side salads – Crisp Cesar salad, Caprese salad, or an Italian-style mixed green salad with olives and artichokes for balance

Tip: This recipe also makes great dipping sauce or pizza sauce!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Got questions? We have the answers!

How can I naturally sweeten spaghetti sauce without sugar?

Great question – I’m not a big fan of sugar either sometimes. You can use alternatives like:

Grated carrots
finely chopped bell peppers
a splash of apple or grape juice

This will give it a natural sweetness and balance out the acidity.

How long can I store homemade sweet spaghetti sauce?

If you have it stored in an airtight container, sweet spaghetti sauce can last in the refrigerator for up to a week. However, if you want to store it longer, consider freezing it.

How can I thicken my spaghetti sauce?

You’ve made the sauce but now it’s too thin and almost soupy, sounds about right? No worries! Just let it simmer uncovered longer to reduce the excess water and it’ll thicken. Alternatively, if you need it done faster, you can also use cornstarch and some water to thicken it a bit – much much quicker.