Best Ever Spicy Spaghetti
A hearty, spicy spaghetti sauce packed with ground beef, vegetables, and bold flavors, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings craving comfort food with a kick.
Ingredients
- 2 lb. ground beef ⓘ
- 2 large onions, chopped ⓘ
- 2 medium green peppers, chopped ⓘ
- 1 c. chopped celery ⓘ
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (4 oz.) can sliced mushrooms (undrained) ⓘ
- 3 (6 oz.) cans tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) can whole tomatoes (undrained), coarsely chopped ⓘ
- 3 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce ⓘ
- 2 tsp. chili powder ⓘ
- 2 tsp. dried whole oregano ⓘ
- 1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 3 drops hot sauce ⓘ
- 2 bay leaves ⓘ
- 3/4 c. water ⓘ
- 1/4 c. Burgundy wine ⓘ
- hot cooked spaghetti ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook ground beef, chopped onions, chopped green peppers, chopped celery, and minced garlic in a large Dutch oven until the meat is browned, stirring to crumble the meat.
- Drain excess fat; stir in sliced mushrooms, tomato paste, chopped whole tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, dried oregano, Italian seasoning, salt, hot sauce, bay leaves, water, and Burgundy wine.
- Cover the Dutch oven; reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Remove bay leaves; stir in Burgundy wine.
- Serve the sauce over hot cooked spaghetti.
- Sprinkle with cheese before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. If you want a bit more heat, feel free to increase the amount of hot sauce or add red pepper flakes. You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. For a vegetarian version, try using lentils or a mix of your favorite beans instead of meat.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this spicy spaghetti with a side of garlic bread and a fresh green salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Linda'S Low-Fat Lasagna for a hearty family dinner. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for extra flavor. A glass of red wine would complement the dish nicely.
Storage & Reheating
Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, gently warm it on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Add a splash of water if it's too thick.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Best Ever Spicy Spaghetti contains roughly 590 calories, with 19g protein, 105g carbohydrates, and 16g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (190% of the Daily Value), and calcium (145% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1512mg per serving (66% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Simply reheat it on the stove before serving over freshly cooked spaghetti.
What can I use instead of ground beef?
You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. Additionally, for a vegetarian meal, try using cooked lentils, mushrooms, or a mixture of beans to achieve a similar texture.
How can I adjust the spice level?
To adjust the spice level, start with a smaller amount of hot sauce and taste as you go. You can always add more if you want it spicier. Alternatively, you can use milder peppers or omit the hot sauce entirely if you prefer a milder flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).