Chef Boyardee Spaghetti Sauce Recipe (Easy Copycat)
Ingredients
Directions / Instructions
Why You'll Love This Chef Boyardee Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
Chef Boyardee spaghetti has been a pantry favorite for generations thanks to its smooth tomato sauce, mild seasonings, and hearty ground beef. This homemade copycat recipe recreates that familiar flavor while using fresh ingredients and allowing you to control the sweetness, salt, and seasoning.
The sauce features finely browned ground beef simmered with tomato sauce, tomato paste, garlic, onion, Italian herbs, and just a touch of sugar to balance the acidity. The result is a smooth, rich, slightly sweet meat sauce that's perfect over spaghetti, ravioli, meatballs, baked pasta, or even as a pizza sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
1. Brown the Beef
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into very small crumbles. Drain excess grease if necessary.
2. Cook the Aromatics
Add the diced onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Add the Tomato Base
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomato sauce and beef broth, stirring until smooth.
4. Season
Add the sugar, Italian seasoning, oregano, basil, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and crushed red pepper flakes if using.
5. Simmer
Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavors blend together.
6. Blend (Optional)
For an extra-smooth sauce that closely resembles the canned version, carefully blend a portion of the sauce using an immersion blender.
7. Serve
Serve hot over cooked spaghetti, ravioli, or your favorite pasta with grated Parmesan cheese.
Expert Tips
Brown the beef into very fine crumbles for the authentic Chef Boyardee texture. Simmer the sauce slowly to develop flavor, and adjust the sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Blending part of the sauce creates the smooth consistency that closely resembles the classic canned version.
Storage
Store cooled spaghetti sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef broth or water if needed.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with spaghetti, angel hair pasta, ravioli, cheese tortellini, meatballs, garlic bread, lasagna, baked ziti, stuffed shells, or use as a dipping sauce for mozzarella sticks and breadsticks. It also makes an excellent pizza sauce or sloppy joe filling.
Recipe Variations
Substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for the beef, add finely grated carrots for natural sweetness, or stir in mushrooms and bell peppers for extra vegetables. A splash of heavy cream creates a richer sauce, while freshly grated Parmesan adds even more savory flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
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