Mom's Best Spaghetti Sauce

4.2
(132)

This secret ingredient spaghetti sauce is a simple, slow-cooked, authentic spaghetti sauce, as good as the restaurants serve — or better! The secret ingredient is baking soda. Do not taste the sauce right after adding it; wait awhile, and this sauce will not disappoint you. It is good right from the stove, but the flavors blend overnight. Best served with your favorite meatball recipe, where the meatballs cook in the sauce the last half hour. Be prepared to take a nap after eating.

A plate of spaghetti topped with Mom's best spaghetti sauce and parmesan cheese
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Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
4 hrs 15 mins
Additional Time:
8 hrs
Total Time:
12 hrs 35 mins
Servings:
8

Ingredients

  • 4 (14.5 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes

  • 4 cups fresh sliced mushrooms

  • 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce

  • 4 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste

  • 3 cups water

  • 2 onions, chopped

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 4 teaspoons white sugar

  • 2 pinches baking soda, divided

  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make Mom's best spaghetti sauce

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Mix together whole tomatoes, mushrooms, tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, onions, basil, garlic, sugar, 1 pinch of baking soda, salt, and pepper in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat while stirring, then reduce heat to a simmer, and cook for at least 4 hours.

    A large pot of simmering tomato sauce with sliced mushrooms

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Stir in remaining pinch of baking soda; sauce will foam. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until thick and almost brown. Make sure to scrape the sides of the pan into the sauce.

    A pot of simmering tomato sauce with foamy bubbles on top

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Taste sauce: if too tangy or acidic, add another pinch of baking soda and simmer for 30 more minutes.

    A pot of tomato sauce with parmesan cheese added

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Let sauce cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for 8 hours to overnight. Reheat the next day and serve.

    A large bowl of tomato sauce being stirred with a spatula

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

170 Calories
2g Fat
36g Carbs
9g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 170
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 2g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 2mg 1%
Sodium 1624mg 71%
Total Carbohydrate 36g 13%
Dietary Fiber 8g 28%
Total Sugars 23g
Protein 9g 18%
Vitamin C 48mg 54%
Calcium 150mg 12%
Iron 6mg 33%
Potassium 1757mg 37%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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