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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. Meg says:

    Italians in Italy have no idea what this American spaghetti sauce is

  2. Linda says:

    Could someone please convert or what does 1:6oz mean and
    1:24 oz ??
    To us in Australia please
    Many thanks

    1. James West says:

      I haven’t made this yet, but what they mean is 1 can of 6 ounce can of tomato paste, and 1 can 24 ounce jar of tomato puree. You can do the conversion of oz to L.

  3. Deborah says:

    The absolute, Best spaghetti sauce my family and I have ever tasted!! Thank you so very much for sharing.

  4. Rae Bush says:

    This pasta sauce was delicious. My husband loved it! It’s a keeper recipe for sure!

  5. Dottie W. says:

    My Dad made the BEST Italian gravy from a recipe he got from a customer back in 1952. Unfortunately he has passed and the recipe was lost. The taste of this recipe is just about equal to the one I remember. DELICIOUS! Thank you for bringing me back to my childhood and some wonderful memories.

  6. Billie says:

    I just wanted you to know that we have been using your recipe for years. My granddaughter was living with us, as were her brother and Dad. I had her follow all the instructions and it was superb, she felt so accomplished. We did use a little less sugar, we call it Hailey’s pasta sauce! She is pleased that everyone asks her to make her sauce! It has created a family tradition forever! She carefully adds spices and sugar while tasting. Calling either more savory or sweetness. Thank you very much for sharing. Your recipe is used for birthdays and holidays and anytime someone needs to feel good. LIQUID GOLD!

    1. Marion zellberg says:

      Liar liar, pants on fire

      1. Billie Schimanski says:

        Why did you respond at all to my review? We use these recipe and as many have commented that they tweaked for their family. My granddaughter soon to be 13 has been making it for 3 years. So move on!

  7. Jamie says:

    Quite literally the best sauce I’ve ever had/made.

  8. Penny says:

    I do catering and when I made lasagna with this sauce they ordered it 3 weeks in a row. I did add bratt burger along with the hamburger and Italian sausage and it was great.

  9. Ana Penkauskas says:

    I made this recipe yesterday and it was so delicious. My husband couldn’t stop raving about it. I did add about a 1/4 cup of red wine and simmered for 5 minutes before I added the liquid. Thank you for the recipe. It will be my go to sauce from now on.

  10. Emily says:

    This sauce is phenomenal! It is the only sauce my Dad will eat and he hates pasta but now this is the only one he requests me to make out of our entire family who loves to cook Italian dishes!