Healthy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce recipe has no added sugar! It’s meaty, thick, full of Italian flavor and great served over traditional pasta or spaghetti squash for a low-carb meal.
Healthy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
My hubby and I have done several Whole30 eating plans. Ever heard about it? You can find out all about it here but to sum it up, you eat meat, veggies, fruit and certain nuts & fats for 30 days. No sugar, no grains, no dairy. Yea…it was rough. I can leave grains and dairy behind any day… but I like my sugar.
We decided to do this as a kick start to healthier eating. I didn’t like how I was always craving sweet stuff. I guess having a food blog will do that to ya. This Healthy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce recipe is a staple in our home. We love our Italian food here, and I had to find a way to still be able to get that good Italian taste!
Low Carb Spaghetti Sauce
This spaghetti sauce has no added sugar, but is full of flavor. Find a tomato puree that has an ingredient list of one thing…tomatoes. Yes, tomatoes have some naturally occurring sugars, but as long as there is not sugar listed in the ingredients, you’re golden and will end up with a deliciously low carb spaghetti sauce.
Plus, it is hearty…full of meat and petite diced tomatoes. The kids don’t even mind the diced tomatoes…but they have to be “petite diced” so they are not so noticeable.
Freezing Spaghetti Sauce
You’ll love this healthy homemade spaghetti sauce recipe because it makes a big batch…you can freeze the leftovers to pull out at another time. And when you are trying to eat “real” food, anything that saves time is so helpful! To freeze this sauce, allow it to cool completely, then divide it into containers that will seal tightly for the freezer.
Spaghetti Squash
Serve this healthy past sauce over spaghetti squash for a low-carb, low-sugar meal, or use it as you would any spaghetti sauce!
Healthy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 cans tomato puree 29 ounces each
- 2 cans diced tomatoes, with juice 14.5 ounces each
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 2 teaspoons basil
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, brown the ground beef along with the garlic. Drain.
- Add in the rest of the ingredients and bring to a low boil, stirring often.
- Once the sauce is heated through and at a low boil, reduce the burner temperature to low and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes.
- Serve immediately or allow the sauce to cool, then package it in freezer-safe containers for easy storage.
Melissa L says
Hi! Excited to make this marinara sauce, but plan to make it without ground beef so that I can freeze and use with meatballs, meatball subs, or add ground beef or turkey to make meat sauce….how would I adjust the spices when I leave out 1.5 lbs of ground meat? Maybe cut all spices by about 1/4? Thanks in advance!!
Julie Clark says
I’d use the same spices even without the beef. And yes, it freezes well. I have some in my freezer now!
Morgan says
I made this tonight & it was sooo good & flavorful! Will be making again.
Mary says
Can this be canned for future use?
Julie Clark says
I think it could!
Marsha says
What is the tomato puree? Could you just use mire tomatoes canned?
Julie Clark says
Tomato puree is a canned, thick tomato sauce. It helps to thicken the sauce. I think canned tomatoes would add too much liquid.
Charlene says
Made this, without any expectation. It was FABULOUS! Authentic, delightful and satisfying. We usually purchase sugar free spaghetti sauce, and I can’t imagine doing that again when this recipe is awesome!
Elly Wolf says
This was AMAZING — my husband couldn’t believe it was healthy!! This will now be my new “GO TO” spaghetti sauce!! THANK YOU!!
Julie Clark says
Thank you!!!
Hailey says
Do you think you could do this in the Crock-Pot?(minus ground beef) My go to easy dinner is frozen homemade meatballs with sauce in the crock pot and I’ve been on the hunt for a easy no added sugar sauce!
Julie Clark says
Yes you can, but it won’t evaporate as much liquid unless you skew the lid so that the steam can evaporate. Does that make sense?
danelle says
are your herbs dried or fresh?
Julie Clark says
they are dried. Thanks!
Lisa says
Can I use canned whole tomatoes and dice them myself?
Julie Clark says
Sure!
Lisa says
Do you think putting diced onion, green pepper and mushrooms with the ground beef would work well?
Julie Clark says
Definitely!!
Sheila Thompson says
Awesome, my family went nut’s. They questioned if someone else made it and passed on to me. Lol, my little secret. Thank you. Sincerely, Shi
Jodi says
I’ve cycled through a number of paleo approved spaghetti sauce recipes and have now finally arrived at a keeper! My only suggestion is be sure to start with a really large pot! Our family of 6 devoured multiple servings PLUS we still had plenty to freeze for another day.
Lisa says
I added a dash of red wine vinegar and onion and it was delicious.
Rob K Perez says
What healthy noodles do u recommend already tried butternut and zucinni
Julie Clark says
You could do spaghetti squash. Or have you ever tried Banza pasta? It’s made from chick peas. Higher in protein and fiber….gluten free. We LOVE them!!
Tillie says
What adjustments would I have to make to cook this sauce in that crockpot?
Julie Clark says
No adjustments! You can just let it simmer in the slow cooker.
Heather says
Novice cook here… How long will the sauce keep in the freezer? Do you put it in the fridge during the work day to thaw, then it’s ready later?
Julie Clark says
We’ve frozen the sauce for up to 2 months. Yes, thawing in the fridge is perfect.
Tawnya says
I made this tonight. It’s awesome❣️ No sugary sweet taste! I was reluctant to add the lemon juice as I didn’t know what the benefit would be.