Dave'S Spaghetti Sauce
A hearty, flavorful spaghetti sauce with Italian sausage, ground beef, fresh vegetables, and herbs, perfect for comforting family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. hot Italian sausage ⓘ
- 1 lb. ground chuck ⓘ
- 1 c. chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 c. chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 1 c. fresh chopped mushrooms
- 3 cloves garlic ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. parsley ⓘ
- 2 tsp. oregano ⓘ
- 1 tsp. basil ⓘ
- 1 can favorite sauce ⓘ
- 1 (5 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 (3 oz.) can tomato paste ⓘ
- 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 2 shakes sugar ⓘ
- salt and pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Saute Italian sausage and ground chuck in a large skillet until browned.
- Drain excess grease from the meat.
- Add chopped onion, green pepper, mushrooms, and crushed garlic to the skillet; cook until the onion is clear.
- Stir in parsley, oregano, and basil.
- Combine the cooked meat and vegetable mixture in a large saucepot.
- Add remaining ingredients: favorite sauce, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer the sauce for 1 1/2 hours to develop flavors.
- Serve over cooked vermicelli with garlic bread and salad.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using homemade tomato sauce or adding a splash of red wine. If you prefer a milder sauce, swap the hot Italian sausage for sweet Italian sausage. You can also use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative. Fresh herbs can enhance the flavor, so feel free to substitute dried herbs with fresh ones if you have them on hand.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty spaghetti sauce over cooked vermicelli for a satisfying meal. It pairs beautifully with garlic bread and a fresh salad to balance the flavors. You might also enjoy it with sides like Stuffed Jumbo Pasta Shells And Marinara Sauce or Baked Ziti With Sausage for a comforting Italian feast.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover spaghetti sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze, transfer to freezer-safe containers and it can last up to 3 months. When reheating, gently warm the sauce on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it thickens too much. Stir occasionally for even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Dave'S Spaghetti Sauce contains roughly 559 calories, with 31g protein, 96g carbohydrates, and 16g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (155% of the Daily Value), and calcium (103% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1472mg per serving (64% 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 sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! This sauce tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. You can prepare it up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just reheat gently before serving.
What type of pasta works best with this sauce?
While vermicelli is a great choice, this sauce also pairs well with other pasta shapes like spaghetti, rigatoni, or penne. Choose your favorite pasta to complement the hearty sauce.
Can I add vegetables to this sauce?
Definitely! Feel free to add more vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or spinach for added nutrition. Just sauté them along with the onions and peppers to ensure they cook down properly.
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).