Last week Beth from Clothes and Cocktails share her Homemade Spaghetti Sauce and I mentioned that I hadn’t made mine in awhile. It took me 4-5 tries to get it how I wanted it to taste. So she suggested that I post my recipe this week. Please note that this is my basic sauce/gravy and that I will add things as needed. I don’t add meat to this sauce because I will use this sauce for multiple dishes so if I want to I will add meat and sausage later.
Ingredients: 5 – 15 oz cans of Contandina Sauce with Italian Herbs ~ 1 – 18 oz can of Contandina Tomato Paste ~ 1-1/2 cup water ~ 1 TBSP Garlic – chopped ~ 1 Cup Sugar – I use Truvia or Splenda ~ 1/2 Green Pepper cut in large strips ~ 1 TBSP Red Hot Buffalo Sauce ~ 2 TBSP Coarse Salt ~ 1/2 tsp pepper ~ 1/2 tsp onion powder ~ 2 Bay leaves
*NOTE: I am not a fan of green peppers cooked or raw, I add them for flavor only! So don’t be afraid if you don’t like them either.
Directions: Place all ingredients into a crockpot or in large saucepan on the stove.
Simmer on low for 4-6 hours. Stir and taste ever hour or so. Adjust as needed to taste.
If too sweet add a tad bit more salt or sugar. If too thick add a 1/2 cup more water. Once it is finished simmering replace from heat and remove the two bay leaves and green peppers.
It took me a few tries to get the ratio of ingredients correct, but even then I adjust almost everytime. Usually only a pinch here or there, but it depends on what recipe I am making. I have used this for the sauce in lasagna, on spaghetti squash, to baked chicken (really helps to tenderize it). This time I served it with 1/2 cup of rice, handful of Broccoli and Linguica.
Linking up with Jessica and Ashley.

It took me years to get my sauce the way I like it. Now I don’t even measure, I just do it all to taste! Two huge pots at a time, then I freeze it.
Yes, it takes a lot of tries to get it just right! I tend to just go wild with adding things in as I feel like it at the end! Buffalo Wing sauce, sure why not?! A little BBQ sauce sure that too! LOL!
Yum! That sounds delicious!
Thank you! It is great too because you can use it for multiple dishes!
Yum! This makes me hungry!
Thanks, I hope you try it!
So, I’ve never actually made my own sauce! I really need to try sometime. This looks great!
You should it is so easy and so easy to customize to your taste!!
Yum! There is nothing better than homemade sauce!
I love it, since you know exactly what is going into it and flavor it how you like it!
This looks like a great basic recipe. Thanks for posting!
Yes, so easy to start with and add meats or spices until you get the perfect fit!