Spectacular Spaghetti Sauce
A hearty, cheesy spaghetti sauce with seasoned ground beef, sausage, mushrooms, and melted cheese, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings craving rich flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 lb. ground beef ⓘ
- 1 onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1 green pepper, chopped ⓘ
- seasoned salt ⓘ
- black pepper ⓘ
- garlic powder ⓘ
- 1 to 2 lb. smoked sausage, cubed ⓘ
- 2 to 3 small cans mushrooms, drained and sliced ⓘ
- 2 tsp. oil or margarine ⓘ
- 1 lb. American cheese or Velveeta, cubed ⓘ
- 2 (28 to 32 oz.) jars Prego spaghetti sauce ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large skillet, season ground beef with seasoned salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Cook the ground beef until browned, then drain and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add oil or margarine and sauté chopped onion and green pepper until tender.
- Add cubed smoked sausage to the skillet and cook until browned.
- Stir in drained and sliced mushrooms and cook for a few minutes.
- Combine cooked ground beef with the sausage and vegetables in the skillet.
- Add the jars of Prego spaghetti sauce to the mixture and heat through.
- Stir in cubed American cheese or Velveeta until melted and creamy.
- Serve hot over cooked pasta or your favorite base.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine or a teaspoon of sugar to balance the acidity of the sauce. If you're short on time, pre-cooked sausage can be used instead of smoked sausage. You can also substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef to lighten the dish. Experiment with different types of cheese like mozzarella or provolone for a customized taste.
Serving Suggestions
This spaghetti sauce pairs beautifully with rigatoni or your favorite pasta. Serve it with garlic bread and a fresh green salad for a complete meal. You can also use it as a filling for Italian recipes like stuffed shells or lasagna. For a heartier option, consider serving with a side of roasted vegetables.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave until heated through. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water or broth to achieve the desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spectacular Spaghetti Sauce contains roughly 384 calories, with 9g protein, 32g carbohydrates, and 27g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (68% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (24% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1589mg per serving (69% 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 a different type of cheese in this sauce?
Yes, you can substitute the American cheese or Velveeta with other cheeses like mozzarella, provolone, or even a blend of Italian cheeses for a different flavor profile. Just ensure that the cheese melts well to maintain a creamy texture.
How can I make this sauce vegetarian?
To make this sauce vegetarian, simply replace the ground beef and smoked sausage with plant-based alternatives like lentils or mushrooms. You can also add more vegetables such as zucchini, carrots, or bell peppers to enhance the flavor and texture.
What can I serve with this spaghetti sauce?
This spaghetti sauce is perfect over traditional pasta, but it also complements dishes like Italian stuffed shells or hearty lasagne soup. For sides, consider garlic bread or a simple caesar salad to balance the meal.
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).