Frank'S Spaghetti Sauce
A hearty, flavorful spaghetti sauce with smoky bacon, ground beef, fresh herbs, and rich tomato flavors, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. bacon, diced ⓘ
- 2 1/2 lb. ground beef ⓘ
- 2 c. onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1 c. green pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 6 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 6 lb. 9 oz. tomatoes ⓘ
- 18 oz. tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 c. red wine ⓘ
- 4 tsp. oregano ⓘ
- 4 tsp. basil ⓘ
- 1/2 c. parsley ⓘ
- 2 tsp. thyme ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf, crumbled ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. water ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a 6-quart pan until brown.
- Set aside, draining all but 1 to 2 tablespoons of grease from the pan.
- Brown ground beef, discarding excess fat.
- Stir in chopped onions, green pepper, and minced garlic.
- Cook for 10 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. If you prefer a leaner sauce, substitute half of the ground beef with turkey or chicken. Fresh herbs can enhance freshness; use them instead of dried if available. You can also mix in vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini for added nutrition, making it a great option for various Italian recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Frank's Spaghetti Sauce over freshly cooked spaghetti or alongside garlic bread for a classic meal. It pairs beautifully with Quick Cooked Spaghetti for a satisfying dinner. Additionally, consider topping with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for a nice touch. This sauce also works well in dishes like Stuffed Macaroni Shells(With Meat Stuffing) or as a base for pizza.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze, let it cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe bags or containers. When reheating, do so slowly on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or wine to maintain moisture. This keeps the sauce flavorful and prevents it from drying out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Frank'S Spaghetti Sauce contains roughly 594 calories, with 25g protein, 127g carbohydrates, and 15g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (255% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1115mg per serving (48% 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 use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes! For this recipe, you'll need about 8-10 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped. Cook them down to reduce moisture before adding other ingredients. This will enhance the flavor and give your sauce a fresh taste.
How can I make this sauce spicier?
To add some heat, consider incorporating red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños when sautéing the vegetables. You can also mix in some hot Italian sausage along with the ground beef for a spicy kick. Adjust the amount to suit your taste.
Is it possible to make this sauce vegetarian?
Absolutely! Substitute ground beef with lentils or a meat alternative like textured vegetable protein (TVP) for a hearty vegetarian version. You may also want to add more vegetables such as mushrooms and bell peppers to enhance the texture and 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).