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This single serving spaghetti sauce is made with crushed tomatoes, ground meat, and simple pantry ingredients for a rich, homemade flavor. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s an easy way to make a fresh spaghetti sauce from scratch without making a large batch.
Featured Comment
“Made this for my dinner tonight. I love spaghetti and this sauce did not let me down. It actually tastes as though it’s been simmering most of the day.”
– Linda
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: This homemade spaghetti sauce uses everyday ingredients but delivers a rich, well-balanced flavor that tastes slow-simmered.
- Ready in About 30 Minutes: From prep to plate, this sauce comes together quickly, making it a great option when you want a homemade pasta sauce without a long cook time.
- Easy to Customize: Swap the protein, add vegetables, or adjust the seasoning to fit your taste or dietary needs.
- Perfectly Portioned: This single serving spaghetti sauce gives you just the right amount for one meal.
- Made with Pantry Staples: No special ingredients needed. Everything used in this sauce is easy to find and often already on hand.
This spaghetti sauce is one I’ve made more times than I can count. I always begin with onions and garlic gently cooking in olive oil, a simple step that sets the tone for the sauce. When the crushed tomatoes are added, everything simmers together, giving the flavors time to develop and deepen. It’s a dependable, homemade sauce that turns a simple bowl of pasta into a satisfying meal.
Serve this spaghetti sauce over spaghetti or buttered noodles, or try it with a single serving of rice, spaghetti squash or a serving of potato gnocchi. Round out the meal with sautéed green beans and a slice homemade French bread.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch spaghetti sauce recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is best for this easy homemade meat sauce because it adds rich flavor. If you don’t have it, light olive oil works fine.
- Chopped Onions and Garlic: These build flavor in the sauce, so don’t skip them. They add depth and aroma that make the sauce taste rich and savory.
- Ground Beef: Ground beef is classic in spaghetti sauce, but you can swap in ground turkey or pork. For a vegetarian version try a plant-based ground meat or cooked lentils. Leftover ground meat? Use it to make a small baked ziti, lasagna rollups for one, or a single serving hamburger casserole.
- Crushed Tomatoes: Canned crushed tomatoes are the base of this sauce and give it that thick tomato flavor you want. If you prefer, tomato sauce or diced tomatoes can be used instead. Use leftovers in a personal pepperoni pizza or caponata for one.
- Herbs – Basil and Oregano: Basil and oregano bring Italian flavor to this sauce. Use dried herbs or fresh (fresh needs about 1.5 times the amount of dried).
- Salt and Black Pepper: These basic seasonings are key to bringing out all the flavors in your sauce. Adjust them to taste.
Recipe Variations
This homemade spaghetti sauce is easy to customize, making it simple to adjust the flavor or ingredients to suit your taste.
- Vegetable-Packed Spaghetti Sauce: Add chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or carrots for extra vegetables. Cook them with the onions until softened so they blend into the sauce.
- Spaghetti Sauce with Mushrooms: Stir in sliced mushrooms with the onions and garlic. They add a rich, earthy flavor that pairs well with the tomato sauce and meat.
- Spicy Spaghetti Sauce: Add red pepper flakes to bring heat. Start with a small pinch and adjust to taste.
- Italian Sausage Spaghetti Sauce: Swap the ground beef for Italian sausage for a richer, more traditional spaghetti sauce flavor.
- Slightly Sweet Spaghetti Sauce: Add a small amount of honey or sugar to balance acidity if your tomatoes taste sharp.
How To Make Spaghetti Sauce For One
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Sauté the Onions and Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften, about 3 minutes.
- Brown the Ground Meat: Add the ground meat to the pan. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink. Lean ground beef works well, and ground turkey, chicken, or pork are good substitutes.
- Add the Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve: Spoon the spaghetti sauce over cooked pasta or use it in your favorite pasta dishes.
Tip: Make Ahead, Double, or Freeze
This spaghetti sauce can be made ahead and reheated gently on the stove when ready to serve. If you’d like more, simply double the ingredients. Let the sauce cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Expert Tips
- Take Time with the Onions and Garlic: Cook them until the onions are soft and fragrant. This step builds the flavor base of the spaghetti sauce, so avoid rushing it.
- Brown the Meat Fully: Cook the ground meat until no pink remains before adding the tomatoes. Proper browning adds depth and prevents the sauce from tasting flat.
- Simmer for Better Flavor: Let the sauce simmer for at least 20 minutes so the flavors develop. A longer simmer will deepen the taste, but avoid boiling, which can cause the sauce to reduce too quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
This spaghetti sauce is ready in about 30 minutes. That gives the flavors enough time to blend without needing a long simmer.
Yes. Ground turkey works well and creates a lighter sauce. Ground chicken or pork can also be used.
Absolutely. Simply leave out the meat or replace it with cooked lentils or a plant-based ground alternative.
Let the sauce simmer uncovered so excess liquid evaporates. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
More Small Batch Sauce Recipes
Looking for more small batch sauce recipes? These homemade sauces are easy to make and perfectly portioned.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this single serve spaghetti sauce or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!
Spaghetti Sauce For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- 4 ounces lean ground beef
- 8 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds. Add the onions and garlic and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 8 minutes.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the sauce thickens, 25 to 30 minutes.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt if needed. Serve with pasta or use as desired.
Notes
- Take Time with the Onions and Garlic: Cook them until the onions are soft and fragrant. This step builds the flavor base of the spaghetti sauce, so avoid rushing it.
- Brown the Meat Fully: Cook the ground meat until no pink remains before adding the tomatoes. Proper browning adds depth and prevents the sauce from tasting flat.
- Simmer for Better Flavor: Let the sauce simmer for at least 20 minutes so the flavors develop. A longer simmer will deepen the taste, but avoid boiling, which can cause the sauce to reduce too quickly.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Jackie- you didn’t make Joanie’s recipe- not only did you change just about everything, you added alot. Basically, you made it your own and posted it on Joanie’s site.
This sauce is just great. Not having crushed tomatoes I used a 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes with no added salt blended it in food processor After blending the amount it did reduce to 8 oz I proceeded with recipe just adding 3 tbsp of tomato paste I also added 1/8 tsp of baking soda and 1/ tsp of brown sugar. It was wonderful. I’m going to make the sauce meatless and freeze it for marinara sauce. The seasonings are perfect
I just made the Spaghetti Sauce it was delicious I will be making it again, I eat so much I’m stuffed
Thank you for this website I love it Joanie
This website is perfect for me I became a widow 1 1/2 years ago
I’m so glad you enjoyed the spaghetti sauce—thank you for your kind words! I’m truly sorry for your loss, and it means so much to know the recipes are helping in even a small way. I’m so happy you’re here.
Delicious recipe, and quick to throw together. I did add a cup of broth, and 2 Tbsp of tomato paste, just because I cooked it a little longer and needed more liquid. I was so glad I ended up with 2 servings, because I wanted more of it the next day! I added this recipe to my cookbook. 😃 Thanks!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Made this today, was really good. Only thing I did different was added a tsp of Italian seasoning. Was way more than 1 serving, guess I’ll have some tomorrow.
I cannot find an 8oz can of crushed tomatoes – I even have a hard time finding a 14oz can! Should I just use 8oz can tomato sauce or use large can of crushed tomatoes and maybe freeze the rest left over?
Use 8 ounces of canned crushed tomatoes. I suggest either freezing the rest or using it in any of our many recipes that call for using diced tomatoes.
I’m so glad I found this website. At 70 years old, I was still cooking family sized recipes, then having to eat the same thing for days in a row. The proportions here are just right. It keeps me from eating too much… I’ve made the single serve muffins, and cornbread, and today the hamburger/tomato sauce… This is the first place I come now when I need a recipe. Thank you. (:
Just had to say thank you for sharing this awesome One-Dish recipe. As a very big fan of pasta, but finding it hard to cut sauces down to fit a budget and serving size for one or two people, I loved finding this recipe. I will admit that I used two small Italian Mild sausage links, instead of the ground beef, but I was not disappointed by the substitution…and it was perfect when I served it with a side salad and garlic toast for dinner. Excellent flavor and perfectly portioned. Blessings to you and please keep the recipes coming!