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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!
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!
Great Grandma’s Pasta Sauce
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
Nutrition
Photography by Jesse Reilly
What with the garlic and onion powder, I don think grandmother would of used that. Sugar, no if you use good can tomatoes you don’t need sugar, if need be use a carrot. Im a84 year old calabrese.
To each their own, I appreciate your insight. Again, this recipe was passed down and everyone has their own way of making recipes. That is what is special about recipes from generations. Everyone tweaks it. So who knows, maybe this recipe that was passed down was slightly tweaked with the availability of garlic and onion powder and sugar. I don’t understand why you had to mention you’re an 84 year old calabrese. I mean, does that give you more of an authority on Italian pasta sauces? That’s like me saying, “I’m a 33 year old Taiwanese, this is not how you make beef noodle soup.” Recipes are special in their own way and meant to be altered!
this is my go to recipe for sauce. It has never failed me. I love it and it is super easy!!!
Just a question, having a great, grand and mother all Italians. Was there canned/puréed tomatoes in that part of Italy this great-grandma was/is from? Or garlic/onion powder? If true, then it looks like a highly processed meat sauce, taking into consideration that we’re talking about a person’s recipe born at the beginning of last century. No haters please, this is a legitimate question
Don’t freeze it in a glass jar. Freezing glass is dangerous.
I’m sorry, but in Italy they would never add sugar. Instead, finely mince organic carrots and let them simmer and melt into a much more favourable sugar.
Sande, I cannot believe how much time and energy you have wasted on slamming someone online because a recipe was not to your satisfaction. Something is clearly lacking in your life- perhaps you should go back to kindergarten where all children learn to get along with others – and while you’re at it, learn how to spell and then visit a psychiatrist. You’re badly in need of one…
This was one of the most unpleasant tasting tomato sauces ever. We could clearly state this has no ingredients in it related to a bona fied Italian tomato sauce.
……..so what does a bona fied Italian tomato sauce contain? I’m sure it contains tomato of some sort..
Love your reply!
This sauce is delicious. ESP with fresh herbs
Look man , if you don’t like the sauce then that’s you and your opinion for those of us the love food and might I add food keeps you alive. Everyone has their own way of making anything that secret is really their own touch something they change weather small or big it makes it theirs and toale negative comment s about the posting of someone’s trying or favs is just pier disrespectful.
I Added 1.5 onions chopped, 5 cloves fresh garlic, 1/2 cup chopped celery, 2 green peppers ?, red wine…about 1 cup…, a dash of cloves, some brown sugar…. and I expect it to be delicious! It is simmering now! Smells great! I think we all have our own special touches when it comes to cooking. Try it you might like it!
Love these simple but delicious ingredients. The recipe is spot on!
Thank you for common sense cooking!