Mother in Laws Spaghetti Sauce
Transport your taste buds straight to an Italian family kitchen with "Mother-in-Law's Spaghetti Sauce," a rich, hearty recipe that promises to become your go-to comfort meal. This homemade marinara blends sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors, thanks to a slow-simmered combination of ground beef, Italian sausage, and aromatic spices like basil, oregano, and thyme. The addition of crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce creates a luscious, velvety base, while fresh parsley and optional red pepper flakes add a delightful finishing touch. Perfectly balanced with a hint of sugar and simmered to perfection for two hours, this sauce is ideal for spooning over al dente spaghetti or your favorite pasta. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s simple enough for weeknight dinners yet special enough for family gatherings. Keywords: homemade spaghetti sauce, rich marinara, slow-simmered pasta sauce, family recipe, Italian comfort food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 pound ground beef
- 0.5 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 28 ounces (1 can) crushed tomatoes
- 6 ounces (1 small can) tomato paste
- 15 ounces (1 can) tomato sauce
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.25 teaspoon (optional, for heat) red pepper flakes
- 1 whole bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) salt
- 0.5 teaspoon (adjust to taste) black pepper
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until softened and translucent.
Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure it doesn't burn.
Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot. Cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking up the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat, if necessary.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Pour in the water and mix until combined.
Add the sugar, basil, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes (if using), and bay leaf. Stir everything together.
Lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot loosely and let the sauce cook for about 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Taste the sauce after about 1 hour of simmering and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper, as needed.
Remove the bay leaf before serving.
Stir in the fresh parsley just before serving. Serve over cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1034 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 34.5 g | 44% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.6 g | 53% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 77 mg | 26% | |
| Sodium | 3760 mg | 163% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 159.1 g | 58% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 34.5 g | 123% | |
| Total Sugars | 108.7 g | ||
| Protein | 53.0 g | 106% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 406 mg | 31% | |
| Iron | 13.3 mg | 74% | |
| Potassium | 7565 mg | 161% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
