Southern Spaghetti Sauce is a hearty, thick tomato sauce loaded with ground beef, onion, and green bell pepper. A touch of sugar brightens the tomatoes and balances any acidity, while tomato paste adds concentrated tomato flavor. It reheats and freezes beautifully.
This sauce is one of my favorite comfort foods and reminds me of my grandmother’s version. She didn’t cook many dishes, but when she made this sauce it felt like a special treat. It’s very thick and meaty, full of ground beef, sautéed onions, and diced green pepper. A tablespoon of sugar adds a hint of sweetness that brings out the tomato flavor without making the sauce noticeably sweet. Two cans of tomato paste boost the sauce’s richness and depth.
Sometimes I like it so much I skip the pasta and eat a bowl of sauce on its own, topped with plenty of grated Parmesan — the familiar green-can kind I grew up with. Those childhood flavor memories are powerful and comforting.
How To Make
(More detailed instructions and video in the recipe card below.)
- Brown the ground beef and drain the fat.
- Add the diced onion and green pepper and cook until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Stir in tomato paste, tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, seasonings, and water.
- Simmer about 30 minutes to blend flavors.
Freeze For Later
This sauce freezes exceptionally well. I often make a double batch and freeze half for an easy second meal—defrost and reheat gently on the stove.
More Italian Dinners
- Southern Sausage Spaghetti Sauce
- Spaghetti Casserole
- Spicy Tomato Cream Pasta
- Italian Sausage Rigatoni with Spicy Cream Sauce
Watch the short video below to see how easy this sauce is to make.
Southern Spaghetti Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can stewed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar (original calls for 2 tablespoons; 1 works well)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
Instructions
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Brown the beef in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Drain off excess fat.
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Add the diced onion and green pepper and sauté until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
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Add the tomato paste, tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, salt, and water. Stir until well combined.
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Reduce heat and simmer about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and the sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Notes
This recipe freezes well—cool completely before transferring to airtight containers or freezer bags.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as an approximation.
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Recipe Source: adapted from Paula Deen