If you love pasta, then you are probably a fan of spaghetti! It’s a classic, delicious dish that can be enjoyed by the whole family. However, many store-bought spaghetti sauces are extremely high in sodium. This can be a problem for those looking to lower their sodium intake for health reasons. But fear not, you can easily make your own homemade spaghetti sauce that is lower in sodium and still bursting with flavor!

Making your own spaghetti sauce from scratch allows you to control the amount of sodium that goes into it. By using fresh and natural ingredients, you can create a healthier and more flavorful sauce that is lower in sodium than the store-bought options. Plus, it’s a fun and rewarding cooking experience that will have your kitchen smelling like an Italian restaurant!

Here’s a simple and delicious homemade spaghetti sauce recipe that is lower in sodium but still full of flavor:

Ingredients:

– 1 can (28 ounces) of crushed tomatoes
– 1 can (6 ounces) of tomato paste
– 1 onion, finely chopped
– 4 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
– 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon of dried basil
– 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
– 1 teaspoon of sugar
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Optional: 1 pound of ground beef or Italian sausage

Instructions:

1. Heat a large pot over medium heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook until the vegetables are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

2. If you are using ground beef or Italian sausage, add it to the pot and cook until fully browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.

3. Once the meat is cooked (if using), add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the pot. Stir to combine the ingredients.

4. Add the dried oregano, basil, thyme, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to incorporate the seasonings into the sauce.

5. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

6. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as needed. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use an immersion blender to puree the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency.

7. Serve the sauce over cooked spaghetti noodles and top with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

This homemade spaghetti sauce is lower in sodium than many store-bought options, but it’s still packed with flavor thanks to the combination of fresh ingredients and aromatic spices. Feel free to customize the recipe to your taste by adding other vegetables, such as mushrooms or zucchini, or using different herbs and spices.

So, the next time you’re craving a comforting bowl of spaghetti, consider making your own homemade sauce to lower the sodium content while keeping all the delicious flavors intact. Your taste buds and your health will thank you for it!