homemade spaghetti sauce

Let’s start the new year off with a healthy, delicious, do-it-yourself dinner! This homemade spaghetti sauce was so easy to make, and we all loved it! My toddler was especially enthralled, and buried her face in her plate. By the end of dinner, she was orange from head to toe and grinning in triumph. I especially liked that the recipe made enough for several meals for our little family! It always makes me happy to have something delicious waiting in the freezer for a day when I’m exhausted. Make this sauce, and you will love it!

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups onion, chopped and divided
1 red pepper, coarsely chopped
1 pound ground turkey
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 12 oz. can tomato paste
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
3 teaspoons dried oregano
3 teaspoons dried basil
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 14-oz. can Italian-style diced tomatoes
2 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons brown sugar

Heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add 1/2 of the onions and saute until translucent and slightly browned. Add garlic and stir constantly for 1 minute. Add ground turkey and cook through. Blend up the remaining onions and red pepper in a blender or food processor until mostly smooth. Add mixture to the garlic, onions and ground turkey and stir to combine, cooking for another minute. Add tomato paste and spices and cook for 1 minute, stirring until combined. Add tomatoes, chicken broth and sugar, and stir until combined. Bring to a boil and then reduce to low and simmer for 1 hour (or longer, if desired), stirring occasionally.