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How to Make Spaghetti Sauce

Learn how to make spaghetti sauce with tomato, aromatics, simmering, seasoning, texture fixes, common mistakes, troubleshooting, and FAQs.

Food & CookingEdited by Pramod Tiwari
2 min read

Quick Answer

To make spaghetti sauce, saute onion and garlic, add tomatoes, herbs, salt, and pepper, simmer until thick, then toss with cooked pasta and adjust seasoning.

Ingredients and Tools

  • Tomatoes or canned crushed tomatoes
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Italian herbs or basil
  • Saucepan
  • Spoon
  • Optional blender

Safety Precautions

  • Use caution with hot oil and simmering sauce.
  • Do not leave sauce unattended on high heat.
  • Refrigerate leftovers promptly.
  • Use clean utensils when tasting.
  • Keep raw meat separate if adding meat.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Step 1

    Saute onion

    Cook chopped onion in oil until soft.

  2. Step 2

    Add garlic

    Stir in garlic briefly so it does not burn.

  3. Step 3

    Add tomatoes

    Pour in crushed tomatoes or chopped fresh tomatoes.

  4. Step 4

    Season

    Add salt, pepper, and herbs.

  5. Step 5

    Simmer

    Cook gently until the sauce thickens and flavors blend.

  6. Step 6

    Adjust texture

    Blend for a smooth sauce or leave chunky.

  7. Step 7

    Serve with pasta

    Toss with hot spaghetti and a splash of pasta water if needed.

Practical Example

Example: You saute onion and garlic, simmer crushed tomatoes with basil for 25 minutes, then toss with cooked spaghetti.

Common Mistakes

  • Burning garlic
  • Skipping simmer time
  • Adding too much dried herb
  • Forgetting pasta water
  • Oversalting early
  • Using high heat the whole time

Troubleshooting

Sauce is too acidic

Simmer longer and add a small pinch of sugar only if needed.

Sauce is watery

Simmer uncovered until thicker.

Sauce tastes bland

Add salt gradually, then herbs or olive oil.

Garlic tastes bitter

Start over if badly burned; cook garlic for less time next round.

FAQs

Can I use canned tomatoes?

Yes. Canned crushed tomatoes are a reliable beginner option.

How long should spaghetti sauce simmer?

A simple sauce often improves after 20 to 30 minutes of gentle simmering.

Should I blend spaghetti sauce?

Blend only if you prefer a smooth texture.

Can I freeze spaghetti sauce?

Yes, cool it and freeze in airtight portions.

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