This Jim’s Spaghetti Sauce Recipe captures everything we love about classic, old-school pasta dinners.
It’s rich, meaty, and loaded with flavor thanks to a simple, no-fuss method that lets the ingredients shine.
Inspired by the original Jim’s Spaghetti Sauce, this recipe brings together ground beef, tomato sauce, and a signature spice blend that’s hard to resist. Serve it over hot spaghetti noodles for a dinner everyone will request again and again.
Why You’ll Love Jim’s Spaghetti Sauce
Jim’s Spaghetti Sauce stands out for its rich, complex flavors that come from a combination of fresh herbs, ripe tomatoes, and a secret ingredient that we’ll reveal in our recipe.
Unlike store-bought sauces, this homemade masterpiece simmers to perfection, blending all the flavors into a harmonious sauce that clings to your pasta beautifully.
Jim’s Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
Recipe Details:
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Yield: Serves 8
- Calories Per Serving: Approximately 350 calories per serving
Jim’s Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
Ingredients:
To start, you’ll need the following ingredients. Remember, the quality of your sauce greatly depends on the freshness and quality of the ingredients you choose.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 pounds ground beef (or substitute with ground turkey for a lighter version)
- 2 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a spicy kick)
- 1 secret ingredient: 1 tablespoon brown sugar (It balances the acidity of the tomatoes and enhances their natural sweetness)

Step-By-Step Guide
- Preparation Stage: Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and onion and sauté until they are aromatic and tender.
- The Meaty Heart: Add the ground beef to the pot, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until it’s no longer pink, ensuring it’s fully browned for the richest flavor.
- Tomato Base: Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, blending them well with the meat mixture. This forms the sauce’s base, rich in tomato goodness.
- Herb Infusion: Add the chopped basil, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to the pot. This is where the sauce starts to develop its signature flavor profile.
- The Secret Ingredient: Here’s where you add that tablespoon of brown sugar. It’s our secret touch that makes Jim’s Spaghetti Sauce uniquely delicious.
- Simmer To Perfection: Reduce the heat to low and let your sauce simmer, uncovered, for at least 1 hour. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors meld together, creating a deeper, more complex sauce.
- Final Adjustments: Taste your sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Sometimes a little extra salt or a pinch more sugar can make all the difference.
Serving Suggestions
While Jim’s Spaghetti Sauce pairs perfectly with any pasta, don’t hesitate to get creative. Use it as a base for lasagna, a topping for homemade pizza, or even as a dip with warm, crusty bread.
Conclusion
Every spoonful of Jim’s Spaghetti Sauce is a taste of tradition, a reminder of the power of simple ingredients to create extraordinary meals.
We hope this recipe becomes a staple in your kitchen, bringing warmth, flavor, and a bit of history to your dining table.
Remember, cooking is not just about following a recipe; it’s about making it your own. So, feel free to tweak this recipe to suit your taste and make Jim’s Spaghetti Sauce your family favorite.

Jim’s Spaghetti Sauce Recipe: A Family Heirloom
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 pounds ground beef or substitute with ground turkey for a lighter version
- 2 cans 28 ounces each crushed tomatoes
- 1 can 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional for a spicy kick
- 1 secret ingredient: 1 tablespoon brown sugar It balances the acidity of the tomatoes and enhances their natural sweetness
Instructions
- Preparation Stage: Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and onion and sauté until they are aromatic and tender.
- The Meaty Heart: Add the ground beef to the pot, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until it’s no longer pink, ensuring it’s fully browned for the richest flavor.
- Tomato Base: Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, blending them well with the meat mixture. This forms the sauce’s base, rich in tomato goodness.
- Herb Infusion: Add the chopped basil, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to the pot. This is where the sauce starts to develop its signature flavor profile.
- The Secret Ingredient: Here’s where you add that tablespoon of brown sugar. It’s our secret touch that makes Jim’s Spaghetti Sauce uniquely delicious.
- Simmer To Perfection: Reduce the heat to low and let your sauce simmer, uncovered, for at least 1 hour. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors meld together, creating a deeper, more complex sauce.
- Final Adjustments: Taste your sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Sometimes a little extra salt or a pinch more sugar can make all the difference.
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