Homemade Spaghetti Sauce: Calorie Count and Recipe

There’s something special about homemade spaghetti sauce. The flavors are richer, the ingredients are fresher, and you have complete control over what goes into the sauce. Plus, making your own sauce allows you to customize it to your taste and dietary preferences. One important consideration when making homemade spaghetti sauce is the calorie count. For those who are watching their calorie intake, it’s helpful to know how many calories are in a serving of homemade spaghetti sauce.

A typical serving of homemade spaghetti sauce contains about 70-100 calories, depending on the ingredients used. This calorie count is for a ½ cup serving of the sauce. Keep in mind that if you add meat or cheese to your spaghetti, the calorie count will be higher. To reduce the calorie count of your spaghetti sauce, you can use lean ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef and limit the amount of added cheese.

Now, let’s take a look at a delicious homemade spaghetti sauce recipe that’s not only packed with flavor but is also relatively low in calories.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 onion, finely chopped
– 3 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
– 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
– 1 tsp dried oregano
– 1 tsp dried basil
– 1 bay leaf
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 tsp sugar (optional)
– ½ cup water
– Fresh basil, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until they are soft and translucent.

2. Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the pot, stirring to combine.

3. Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. If you prefer a slightly sweeter sauce, you can also add a teaspoon of sugar at this point.

4. Add the water to the pot, stirring to combine.

5. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to your preference. If you like, you can add some freshly chopped basil for extra flavor.

7. Remove the bay leaf before serving the spaghetti sauce over cooked pasta.

This homemade spaghetti sauce recipe yields about 8 servings, with each serving containing around 70-100 calories, depending on any optional ingredients added. Enjoy this flavorful and relatively low-calorie spaghetti sauce on your favorite pasta for a delicious and satisfying meal.