Spaghetti Sauce Italiano
A hearty Italian spaghetti sauce packed with rich flavors from ground beef, sausage, tomatoes, and vegetables, perfect for family dinners and casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. bulk Italian sausage ⓘ
- 28 oz. can tomatoes, cut up ⓘ
- 2 (6 oz.) cans tomato paste ⓘ
- 6 oz. can sliced mushrooms ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 3/4 cup chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 cup Burgundy ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sliced pimiento-stuffed green olives ⓘ
- 3 bay leaves ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1 tsp. sugar ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. chili powder ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. cold water ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch ⓘ
- hot cooked spaghetti ⓘ
Instructions
- In a skillet, brown the ground beef and sausage; drain off fat.
- Stir in undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, mushrooms, onion, green pepper, Burgundy, olives, bay leaves, garlic, Worcestershire, sugar, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- If the sauce is too thick, add 1/3 cup water.
- Simmer until flavors meld and the sauce is ready to serve.
- Blend the water slowly into the cornstarch; stir into the tomato mixture.
- Cook until the sauce thickens.
- Serve over hot cooked spaghetti and pass Parmesan cheese.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using homemade tomato paste or adding a pinch of red pepper flakes. You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option, or use vegetable broth instead of Burgundy for a non-alcoholic version. If you want extra veggies, add some chopped zucchini or carrots. This sauce can also freeze well for later use.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the sauce over hot cooked spaghetti, and feel free to pass around grated Parmesan cheese for topping. This dish pairs wonderfully with a side of garlic bread or a fresh salad. If you're looking for more Italian recipes, consider making Pam's Lasagna as a complementary dish for a comforting meal.
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 stove over low heat or in the microwave until heated through. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water to loosen it up before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spaghetti Sauce Italiano contains roughly 334 calories, with 14g protein, 49g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (36% of the Daily Value), protein (28% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (27% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and vitamin D. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 489mg per serving (21% 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 vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make this sauce vegetarian by omitting the ground beef and sausage. Instead, use a mix of hearty vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini, along with a plant-based meat substitute if desired. Adjust the seasoning to enhance the flavors.
How long can I simmer the sauce?
You can simmer the sauce for anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld together. Just be sure to stir occasionally and add a bit of water if it gets too thick.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Absolutely! If using fresh tomatoes, you'll need about 2-3 pounds, depending on their size. Blanch, peel, and chop them before adding to the sauce. Fresh tomatoes will provide a different texture and flavor, but it will still be delicious.
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).