Homemade Pasta Sauce and Meatballs with Sausage
This Homemade Pasta Sauce and Meatballs with Sausage is a classic Italian dish that is perfect for any family dinner. The combination of juicy meatballs, savory sausage, and rich tomato sauce will have you coming back for seconds.
There is just something so comforting about a warm bowl of pasta and tomato sauce. And, this recipe for homemade sauce is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Not only does it taste delicious, but it’s also easy to make and can be used in a variety of dishes.
Table of contents
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- You only need simple ingredients so you don’t have to worry about spending a lot of money at the grocery store.
- This homemade pasta sauce tastes so much better than the store-bought kind.
- This recipe is also so easy that even beginner cooks can make it.
🛒Ingredients
Pick up these ingredients on your next trip to the grocery store so that you can whip up a batch of this homemade sauce for your friends and family.
For the meatballs:
- ground beef
- sausage link
- breadcrumbs
- grated Parmesan cheese
- chopped fresh parsley
- onion soup mix
- onion
- garlic salt
- large eggs
- Italian sausage links
For the sauce:
- olive oil
- onion
- fresh garlic cloves
- crushed tomatoes
- dried oregano
- fresh basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- sugar
- spaghetti noodles
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh basil or parsley for garnish
See the recipe card below for quantities.
🔪 How to Make This Homemade Pasta Sauce
This is a quick overview of the steps needed to make this recipe. You can find the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Prepare the meatballs and sausage as directed. Then bake in a 350-degree oven until fully cooked.
Saute the onions and garlic in a large pot with olive oil for 1-2 minutes.
Add the remaining sauce ingredients to the pot and bring it to a simmer. Then reduce the heat to low.
Add the meat to the sauce once it’s done, and simmer for 2-3 hours. Add water if the sauce thickens too much. Serve over spaghetti noodles and garnishes with parmesan cheese.
🥄 Equipment
Gather these kitchen tools so that you can enjoy this delicious homemade recipe:
- Mixing Bowl
- Ice cream scoop
- baking sheet
- Large saucepan
🥫 Storage
Storage – Store leftover pasta sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Freezing – You can also freeze the leftover pasta sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Reheating – You can reheat pasta sauce in the microwave for 2-3 minutes. Or on the stovetop for 5-7 minutes or until warm all the way through.
Serve With
We love to serve this homemade pasta with a side of these Homemade Garlic Breadsticks and a simple side salad. If you enjoy a sweet treat after your meal try serving this Lemon Meringue Cheesecake or Cappuccino Eclairs with it.
💭 Tips
- Once you add the garlic to your onions be sure to watch them closely. Garlic can burn quickly so don’t leave it unattended.
- Make sure that you stir the sauce occasionally so that the bottom doesn’t scorch.
- You can add more or less sugar and seasonings to suit your tastes.
⁉️ FAQ
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Yes, homemade sauce tastes so much better than the store-bought sauce.
Sugar helps to balance the acid in the sauce.
Olive oil is that gives this dish its rich flavor.
🍽 More Homemade Sauce Recipes
Do you enjoy homemade sauce recipes? If so, try these delicious recipes:
Delicious and light, this Healthy Fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp is a less dense version of the classic pasta dish! Give it a try
🧾Recipe Card
Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.
Homemade Pasta Sauce and Meatballs with Sausage
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Ice cream scoop
- baking sheet
- Large saucepan
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 sausage link removed out of the casing
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ½ package of onion soup mix
- ½ chopped onion
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 pound Italian sausage links I used mild
For the sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 4-5 cloves garlic minced
- 56 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 3 tablespoons fresh basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Pinch of sugar optional
- 1 pound spaghetti
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Meatballs:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, sausage (I used one of the sausage links and removed the casing), breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, parsley, onion, garlic salt, eggs, onion soup mix, and pepper.
- Mix until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. I used an ice cream scoop to make it easier.
- Place meatballs on a baking sheet about 1-2 inches apart.
- Also place sausages on the baking sheet where they fit.
- Cook at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes.
- Once they are done remove them from the sheet and place them in the simmering sauce.
- If desired, cut the sausage in half before placing them in the sauce.
Make the Sauce:
- In a large pot heat the olive oil, then add the onions and cook until soft and starting to brown.
- Add the garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, garlic salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar if using.
- Stir to combine.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
- Once the meat has been added to the sauce let it simmer for another 2-3 hours, with a cracked lid and stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together. (I did add about ½ cup of water during this process because the sauce started to thicken too much.)
- Before serving, add the fresh basil and stir into the sauce.
- While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the spaghetti according to the package
- Serve the spaghetti topped with the meatballs, sausage, and sauce.
- Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil or parsley, if desired.
