Joyce'S Spaghetti Sauce
Joyce's Spaghetti Sauce is a hearty, flavorful dish with rich tomato and mushroom notes, perfect for family dinners and those craving a comforting homemade sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. hamburger, browned and drained ⓘ
- 1 onion ⓘ
- 1 green pepper ⓘ
- 1 can tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 can water (use tomato paste can) ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. chili powder ⓘ
- dash of Tabasco sauce ⓘ
- dash of Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- pinch of oregano ⓘ
- dash of ketchup ⓘ
- 2 small cans mushrooms ⓘ
- 1 can tomato soup ⓘ
- 1/2 can water ⓘ
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large pot.
- Cook very slow over simmering heat for several hours, stirring occasionally.
- Serve over your favorite pasta or spaghetti.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider adding minced garlic or Italian seasoning to the sauce. If you prefer a vegetarian option, substitute the hamburger with lentils or a meat alternative. You can also adjust the spice levels by varying the amount of chili powder and Tabasco sauce to suit your taste. This sauce is versatile and can be used in various Italian recipes as a base.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty spaghetti sauce over your favorite pasta or spaghetti, and consider pairing it with garlic bread and a fresh side salad, such as Antipasto Rice Salad, for a complete meal. Grated Parmesan cheese or fresh basil makes a delightful topping. You can also use this sauce in recipes like Deep Dish Cavitini for a comforting casserole dish.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover spaghetti sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. For longer storage, freeze the sauce in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Joyce'S Spaghetti Sauce contains roughly 609 calories, with 22g protein, 118g carbohydrates, and 19g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (194% of the Daily Value), and calcium (150% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2198mg per serving (96% 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 spaghetti sauce tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. You can prepare it a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just reheat it slowly before serving to allow the flavors to develop further.
What can I use instead of cream of mushroom soup?
If you don't have cream of mushroom soup, you can substitute it with a homemade version using heavy cream and sautéed mushrooms blended together. Alternatively, a can of cream of chicken soup or even a béchamel sauce can work as a suitable replacement.
How can I make this sauce spicier?
To increase the spiciness of the sauce, you can add more chili powder or a few dashes of hot sauce. For an extra kick, consider incorporating crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños. Adjust the spice level gradually to achieve your desired heat.
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).