Susan Antonelli'S Spaghetti Sauce
A hearty, flavorful spaghetti sauce loaded with ground beef, tomatoes, vegetables, and aromatic herbs, perfect for family dinners and casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef ⓘ
- 1 lb. can peeled whole tomatoes or chopped tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 lb. can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms ⓘ
- margarine ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, diced ⓘ
- 1 bell pepper, diced ⓘ
- 2 tsp. sugar ⓘ
- 2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. ground oregano ⓘ
- 1 tsp. marjoram ⓘ
- dash crushed basil leaf ⓘ
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 tsp. parsley flakes ⓘ
- 2 crushed garlic pods ⓘ
Instructions
- Put all spices and seasonings in a bowl.
- Saute onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms in margarine.
- In a separate pan, brown the ground beef and drain excess fat.
- Break up the ground beef into the pan with vegetables.
- Add peeled whole or chopped tomatoes and tomato sauce to the beef and vegetables.
- Add the bowl of spices and seasonings along with crushed garlic.
- Stir well to mix everything thoroughly.
- Simmer slowly, stirring occasionally until the sauce reaches desired thickness.
- Better if cooked a day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using fresh herbs like basil and oregano instead of dried. If you prefer a spicier sauce, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option, or even use plant-based meat alternatives for a vegetarian twist. If fresh mushrooms aren't available, canned or dried mushrooms can work in a pinch.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty spaghetti sauce over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti or fettuccine. It pairs beautifully with garlic bread and a side salad for a complete meal. For an Italian feast, consider serving it alongside dishes like Tammy's Stuffed Shells or Delicious Meat Lasagna. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley before serving for an extra touch.
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, or microwave in short intervals until heated through. For longer storage, consider freezing it in portioned containers for up to 3 months.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Susan Antonelli'S Spaghetti Sauce contains roughly 192 calories, with 6g protein, 42g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (166% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (50% of the Daily Value), and iron (49% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1252mg per serving (54% 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 spaghetti sauce in advance?
Absolutely! In fact, this sauce tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Prepare it a day ahead and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just remember to reheat it gently before serving.
What can I use instead of ground beef?
You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner alternative, or use plant-based ground meat for a vegetarian version. Both options will still provide great flavor and texture in your sauce.
Can I add vegetables to this sauce?
Definitely! Feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or spinach for added nutrition and flavor. Just sauté them along with the onions and bell peppers to ensure they cook through.
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).