A rich and flavorful spaghetti sauce that's perfect for family dinners or meal prepping.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the Italian sausage until browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
For a leaner sauce, drain any excess fat from the sausage after browning.
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until softened and fragrant.
Cook the onions until they are translucent to bring out their natural sweetness.
Transfer the sausage mixture to a large saucepan and stir in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water.
Mix thoroughly to ensure the tomato paste is evenly distributed.
Add the bay leaf, sugar, basil, oregano, parsley, and salt to the saucepan. Stir to combine.
Adjust the seasoning to taste, adding more herbs or salt if needed.
Simmer the sauce over low heat, partially covered, for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Remove the bay leaf before serving. Serve the sauce over cooked pasta and garnish with additional parsley if desired.
For a touch of freshness, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.
