Rustic Sunday Spaghetti Sauce

A white Dutch oven filled with rustic spaghetti sauce, garnished with parsley and stirred with a wooden spoon on a marble countertop. — Rustic Sunday Spaghetti Sauce in white Dutch oven with parsley and wooden spoon

Rustic Sunday Spaghetti Sauce brings the heart of a cozy Italian kitchen right into your home. Whether it’s Sunday dinner or a weeknight craving, this rich and flavorful sauce is a true comfort dish. It starts with simple ingredients—onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes—but becomes something magical after a slow simmer with herbs and just a hint of Parmesan and butter. It’s easy to make, deeply satisfying, and pairs beautifully with any pasta.

What makes this sauce stand out is its old-world simplicity, modernized just enough for today’s kitchens. The long simmer transforms pantry staples into a velvety, savory sauce that tastes like it’s been passed down through generations. And here’s a fun fact: traditional Italian sauces were rarely overloaded with sugar or meat. They focused on balance, letting the tomatoes shine—and this recipe does just that.

Perfect for meal prepping, freezing, or hosting a casual dinner with friends, this sauce is sure to become your go-to. And once you try it, you might just skip the store-bought jars for good.

Recipe Yield: about 4 cups (serves 4–6)

INGREDIENTS

1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp cracked black pepper
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1 tsp sugar
¾ cup water
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Sauté the aromatics:
In a large pot or deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute, until fragrant.

2. Build flavor:
Add tomato paste, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, and sugar. Stir well to coat the onions and garlic. Let the mixture cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, to deepen the flavors.

3. Add tomatoes and simmer:
Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and water. Stir to combine and bring the sauce to a low simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover partially with a lid, and let simmer gently for 35–40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Finish the sauce:
Remove lid and stir in Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and butter. Let simmer uncovered for another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

5. Serve and enjoy:
Toss with hot spaghetti or your favorite pasta. Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh basil, if desired.

HELPFUL TIPS TO PERFECT THIS RECIPE

Don’t Rush the Simmer: A long, gentle simmer allows the tomatoes to mellow and the herbs to fully infuse the sauce. Try not to cut it short!
Balance the Acidity: A little sugar and a dab of butter at the end help round out the acidity of the tomatoes and give the sauce a silky finish.
Make It Ahead: This sauce tastes even better the next day! It also freezes beautifully for easy weeknight meals.

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