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Easy Homemade Prego Style Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

Easy Homemade Prego Style Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
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This homemade Prego-style spaghetti sauce is rich, hearty, and packed with layers of flavor. Made with pantry staples like crushed tomatoes, garlic, and Italian herbs, it’s a delicious and preservative-free alternative to store-bought sauces. If you’re making spaghetti, lasagna, or baked pasta, this versatile sauce is perfect for any Italian-inspired dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pound ground meat (beef, Italian sausage, or turkey) – optional
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar
  • ¼ cup red or white wine (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon butter or parmesan cheese (optional, for finishing)

Instructions

Cook the Base

Heat olive oil in a big pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until soft (about 5 minutes). Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds more, being careful not to burn it.

Add Meat (Optional)

If you want meat sauce, add ground beef, Italian sausage, or ground turkey to the pot with the onions and garlic. Break the meat into small pieces and cook until no longer pink. Pour off extra fat if needed.

Add Tomatoes and Spices

Put diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and crushed tomatoes into the pot. Mix in Italian seasoning, oregano, basil, thyme, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like spicy food. Add 1-2 teaspoons of sugar to cut the tomato acidity and make it taste more like Prego sauce.

Let It Simmer

Add a splash of red or white wine if you want extra flavor. Let the sauce cook uncovered for at least 30 minutes, stirring now and then so it doesn’t stick. The longer it cooks, the better it will taste—up to an hour is great.

Finish and Serve

About 5 minutes before it’s done, add fresh chopped basil and parsley. Taste the sauce and add more seasoning if needed. For smoother sauce like store-bought kinds, blend it a little. Serve hot over pasta or use in other recipes like lasagna. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese before eating.

Notes

For best results, use canned tomatoes with no added salt to control sodium levels. As the sauce simmers, it will naturally thicken—add a splash of water or broth if needed. Blending part of the sauce helps achieve the smooth, jarred texture similar to store-bought Prego. This sauce also freezes well for up to three months, making it a great make-ahead option.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savorvibes.com/prego-style-spaghetti-sauce/