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Great Grandma’s Pasta Sauce has been passed down through the generations and it originated from a friend’s Italian great great grandmother. It is the most delicious, rich, flavorful, pasta sauce I’ve ever had in my entire life and I can’t wait for you to try it!

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What makes great grandma’s pasta sauce so special?

My friend told me that for every Christmas and get together, his grandmother used to make her famous pasta dish.

It’s made with this homemade pasta sauce that simmers on the stove for hours.

This pasta sauce is like liquid gold.

It’s the most delicious, rich, flavorful, pasta sauce I’ve ever had in my entire life.

This pasta sauce was actually from his great grandmother who came over from Italy. YOU KNOW it’s good when it’s from a legit Italian. Not some Chef Boyardee character.

The secret to this sauce is the simmering process.

Low and slow, baby. That’s how all the flavors develop and marry one another in a sweet, luscious concoction.

If you want to taste what the Italians are so blessed with over in Italy, I suggest you give this pasta sauce a try. You won’t ever go back to your plain ‘ol marinara that you thought was good. This sauce here is genius.

And genuine.

Don’t hate on great grandma’s pasta sauce

As you can see in the comments section below, there was some haterade on this pasta sauce.

There is a multitude of ways to make pasta sauce. I am not claiming this is THE right and ONLY way to make it.

This is how his family makes it.

If this isn’t the way “your” Italian grandmother or mother or whatever makes it…please don’t yell at me and tell me so.

Recipes are passed down from generations for a reason.

Every recipe is different. Every recipe is modified for each family.

There no “right” way to make something. That is why recipes bring such joy in the kitchen; they can be changed up.

I’m bringing this up because of comments I’ve gotten about this recipe and thus have turned off commenting for that very reason.

This pasta sauce is so easy to make!

You literally need the most basic of ingredients:

  • Ground beef
  • Tomato puree
  • Garlic
  • Spices
  • Fresh basil
  • Water

Can I freeze this pasta sauce?

To be honest, I haven’t tried to freeze this before but I know others who have and it’s fine! I would put it in one of those plastic takeout containers and reheat on the stovetop (like defrost it then plop it into a saucepan).

Can this pasta sauce be made in the slow cooker?

Technically, yes, because the idea is to cook it low and slow. I haven’t done it myself but I know others have done it so I’d put it on low for 3-4 hours!

So many great recipes that you could use great grandma’s pasta sauce recipe in:

Grab the recipe for great grandma’s pasta sauce below and be prepared to get wrapped up in comfort!

Rate Print
4.63 from 97 votes

Great Grandma’s Pasta Sauce

By: Julie Chiou
If you want to taste what the Italians are so blessed with over in Italy, I suggest you give this pasta sauce a try. You won’t ever go back to your plain ‘ol marinara that you thought was good. This sauce here is beyond genuine and you will love it!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients 

  • 5-6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound (454 g) 80/20 ground beef OR 90/10 ground beef
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 6 ounce (170 g) can tomato paste
  • 24 ounce (680 g) jar tomato puree
  • Pinch of dried oregano
  • Pinch of onion powder
  • Pinch of garlic powder
  • Handful of fresh basil, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 6 ounces (170 ml) water

Instructions 

  • In a large stockpot, saute garlic until soft and fragrant in 2 tablespoons of olive oil, about 2 minutes.
    5-6 cloves garlic
  • Add your meat in with the garlic and brown until meat has been thoroughly cooked through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
    1 pound (454 g) 80/20 ground beef OR 90/10 ground beef, Salt and pepper
  • Pour in the tomato paste, tomato puree, and seasoning, including the fresh basil and sugar. Stir to mix well. With the 6 oz. can from the tomato paste, fill that with water and pour it in the stockpot as well.
    6 ounce (170 g) can tomato paste, 24 ounce (680 g) jar tomato puree, Pinch of dried oregano, Pinch of onion powder, Pinch of garlic powder, Handful of fresh basil, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 6 ounces (170 ml) water
  • Let mixture simmer, uncovered, for 2 or more hours (the longer the better, but minimum 2 hours), stirring occasionally.
  • Serve hot over fresh pasta.

Notes

A lot of people have asked about freezing this. I have not personally done this myself but I believe if you freeze this in an airtight container or a jar, it will be ok for up to 2 months. Do not freeze it immediately after making it. You’ll want it to cool to room temperature before putting the jar or container in the freezer to prevent cracking.
On making this in the slow cooker: I’ve never made this in the slow cooker before, however, I believe it’s pretty do-able. This is what I would do: brown your meat, put it in the insert of the crockpot, then add all the other ingredients, stir, cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 1-2 hours.
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Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 263kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 9g, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 15g
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This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

Photography by Jesse Reilly

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308 Comments

  1. valarie thomas says:

    Thank you!!! This will be my go to special gravy recipe. I wanted to try it in the instant pot, but I was afraid to wouldn’t come out as good. So I followed your recipe to a T and cooked it slowly, about 4 hours. Amazing! I can never use jar sauce again!

  2. Barbara Karr says:

    Low and slow is my kind of recipe. It’s why I put it in the crockpot. The crockpot does most of the work for me and I get that long slow cooked flavor. If the geat grandmas’ had the advantage of using one they would have loved it. What a rich hearty sauce!!! Thank you for sharing!

  3. Sam says:

    Thanks for this recipe. Sorry for the silly comments.

  4. Lestina Kennedy says:

    I have made this sauce in the crock pot and freezed it. It works well doing both. My family loves this sauce.

  5. April says:

    I came across this recipe a few years back. It’s my favorite and now only sauce I make! I see you’ve updated with new photos :)
    Any thoughts of how we could adapt for an instant pot?

    1. Julie Wampler says:

      personally, i think it’s best low and slow. i don’t think this would work well in an instant pot, to be really honest. it just isn’t one of those recipes that should be made in one cause it already comes together super fast. i feel you’d also probably get a burn warning if this were in the instant pot

      1. Jennifer Zavasky says:

        You can use the slow cooker function on the instant pot. It won’t burn

  6. Alyssa says:

    I can’t believe people can be so particularly nasty and mean about a recipe. I happen to LOVE this recipe and it’s been my go to sauce for months now. I simmer it all day (bc I can! ) and I love the way the house smells warm and cozy. It’s absolute comfort food for cold winter nights. Thanks for sharing

  7. Robert D Batman says:

    I LIKE THE WAY YOU THINK. I ALSO LIKE THIS PASTA SAUCE.

  8. Randy says:

    Can I buy tomato puree in a grocery store?

    1. Julie Wampler says:

      yes

  9. SharonHonker (dissapointed) says:

    My great grandma is dead.

    1. Julie Wampler says:

      i’m sorry to hear that

      1. SharonHonker (dissapointed) says:

        Your apology won’t bring her back Julie

        1. Grandmother 2 times says:

          thats not very nice, we understand an apology won’t bring her back but julie was just trying to be nice. Don’t be so rude

        2. Shan says:

          I’m very confused as to why you would write your grandma is dead in the 1st place? This is a recipe. Also you’re very rude when she said she was sorry to hear about your loss. I think you should be it on another site for discussing your feeling somewhere else. She is just trying to share a recipe that’s it. Plain and simple

    2. Shan says:

      Sorry to hear that but why would you even write that and a comment for a recipe. Strange

  10. Gail says:

    Slow cooker version at four hours and 15 minutes on low. It is delicious.