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This hearty Italian-style meat sauce has a sweetness that I really love. It’s the recipe I use for spaghetti, lasagna and gnocci, which I bake with mozzarella and Parmesan on top.—Jody L Bober, St Clairsville, Ohio
Cooking for 2: Family Favorite Pasta Sauce for Two
Nutritional Facts 3/4 cup (calculated without pasta) equals 169 calories, 9 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 23 mg cholesterol, 884 mg sodium, 13 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 8 g protein.
Originally published as Family-Favorite Pasta Sauce in Taste of Home August/September 2011, p21
Medium-Bodied Red Wine
Enjoy this recipe with a medium-bodied red wine such as Chianti, Sangiovese, Malbec or Zinfandel.
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Reviewed on Mar. 18, 2013 by Pings pot
My family really likes this recipe. It was a little bit oily so next time I will probably not use any oil to cook the sausage and see how that goes.
Reviewed on Feb. 03, 2013 by mblinder
This will be my go-to sauce, I think! Excellent and, as someone said, it's the brown sugar and balsamic that takes this recipe over the top!
Reviewed on Feb. 21, 2012 by mnccaleb
Delicious and simple! I like to use petite diced tomatoes in mine to make it a little less chunky.
Reviewed on Feb. 06, 2012 by lgibbs101
I make this all the time! I change out from using sausage or ground turkey (which ever I have at the time). And I use the hunts pasta sauce, since my husband has to be the pickiest eater out there.
Reviewed on Jan. 15, 2012 by obsessedwithfood
This sauce was very tasty. I loved the flavor. My family liked it and ate it but they said to just stick to the canned Hunt's spaghetti sauce instead. I still may make this once in awhile though for something different or maybe even try the sauce in lasagna and see if the family likes it better combined with all the cheeses. I used mild Italian sausage and crushed tomatoes. Apparently the critics are tougher at my house. I thoroughly enjoyed it though. I thought it was delicious!
Reviewed on Dec. 06, 2011 by DaneMomma
I have discovered I am a 'Snob' when it comes to a red sauce. This is the only red sauce that I have ever liked!!!! It is easy to make & has the most fantastic flavor - it will forever be a staple on our menu!
Reviewed on Dec. 02, 2011 by GwenandDirk
I love this pasta sauce. It is so flavourful. I have made it several times, scramble frying the italian sausage or slicing it thin.
Reviewed on Nov. 18, 2011 by grammared
my husband and I love this pasta sauce recipe. Easy, tasty and wanting to do it again soon!
Reviewed on Nov. 14, 2011 by Mtaylor27
Best pasta sauce! Everyone loved it!
Reviewed on Oct. 29, 2011 by parksville
This sauce is quite simply - "DELICIOUS"! We loved the taste. Used Johnsonville Hot Italian Sausage links which gave it a nice little kick. So easy to make and definitely a keeper.
Reviewed on Oct. 17, 2011 by Ambergris
Excellent...The brown sugar and vinegar addition really set this apart. My only changes were that I used crushed tomatoes instead of dice, and less sausage for more saucier sauce. Also, I added a little red wine as well. Very tangy, and downright delicious..A keeper : )
Reviewed on Oct. 05, 2011 by cookandbaker
I thought I had my favorite spaghetti sauce recipe....until I tried this one! Wow!! A new favorite is crowned in our family.
Reviewed on Sep. 27, 2011 by smstillinger
This was the first time I've made my own sauce. It was excellent! No more jar sauce for me.
Reviewed on Sep. 21, 2011 by keverwann
Used Turkey Breakfast Sausage that I seasoned to become Italian Sausage and I cooked it semi-covered. Turned out very good - one of the best tomato-based pasta sauces we have tried yet.
Reviewed on Sep. 21, 2011 by gatsby018
This pasta sauce was excellent. I added more Italian seasoning and pepper and I only had regular tomato paste. Served with garlic toast and a salad. No complaints from the family, so this is a keeper.
Reviewed on Sep. 09, 2011 by Rochieleigh
Oh this was so good! I struggle to find a good pasta sauce since my husband will not eat ANYTHING with tomato chunks in it! The changes I made was I bought fire roasted tomatoes, and to hide them in the sauce I put them in the food processor first! My husband ate 2 huge bowls and never knew how much tomoatoes were in it!! My kids who are 3 and 1 also gobbled this right up!
Reviewed on Aug. 07, 2011 by badkitty
I used mild Italian sausage and added a little bit of crushed red pepper flakes.
Excellent! I made it according to the recipe, adding an 8 ounce can of tomato sauce to make it a little saucier. I used 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup red wine and added a bay leaf. I tossed it with rigatoni pasta and fresh shredded Parmesan cheese! Will make again for sure! Thanks for sharing an easy and delicious recipe! :)
Reviewed on Aug. 01, 2011 by nikschwid
Delicious! I didn't make with italian sausage, but still turned out fantastic!
Reviewed on Jul. 30, 2011 by amyandpat
Delicious! My family absolutely loves it! I used hot italian sausage and dried parsley.
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