Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or a combination of ground Italian sausage and ground beef) along with the diced yellow onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until the meat is browned and the onion is soft, about 6-8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease before proceeding.

Stir in the canned tomato sauce, tomato paste, dried parsley, Italian herb blend, garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes (to taste), Worcestershire sauce, and sugar. Mix everything thoroughly to combine the meat and sauce components.

Add 1 cup of water to the skillet and stir well. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let the sauce simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and black pepper as needed. I like to simmer the sauce a little longer if I have time—this lets the flavors really meld together.

Once the sauce has finished simmering, stir in the chopped fresh basil if using. This adds a burst of freshness to the sauce just before serving.

Serve the finished sauce hot over cooked spaghetti pasta. Enjoy your hearty homemade pasta dish!