Today’s recipe may be one of my favorite meals of all time. It is real comfort food to me.
This recipe also makes enough for at least two meals for us, even more now with my reduced size family. I love having a container or two of it in my freezer for those evenings when I just don’t feel like cooking or the day has been too crazy. I can have a nice, yummy meal together in the amount of time it takes to boil the pasta.
This is one of those recipes that really never was a recipe. I have been making it for years – lots of years – and am not sure I actually ever really had a recipe. I just started throwing stuff in a pot. So when I made it this week I decided I should actually write it down so I could share it with you.
I usually use hamburger in mine but it would also be great with ground turkey/chicken or Italian sausage.
Just about everything else comes out of a can so it is quick and easy to put together but I have found the secret to the sauce is letting it simmer for several hours. Bring it to a boil and then turn the heat down to a simmer. As it simmers, it thickens up and the flavor just intensifies. So good! You will want to stir it occasionally to prevent it from burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan.
To make it a complete meal I usually make a nice spinach salad and some kind of yummy, warm bread. Those Magleby’s rolls I shared this week would be perfect as would breadsticks or Challah Bread! Or if it has been one of those crazy days I just buy some crusty Artisan bread at the store! You must have bread to soak up the extra sauce!
Change things up a bit by changing your choice of pasta. I prefer a thinner noodle but it’s great with penne, linguine or angel hair! Whichever you like.
- 1 lb. ground beef turkey, chicken or Italian sausage
- 2 cans 14 oz. petite diced tomatoes
- 2 cans 14 oz. tomato sauce
- 1 can tomato paste
- 2 cans water use the tomato sauce can
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp dried onion
- 3 Tbsp sugar or to taste
- salt to taste
- 1 Tbsp dried oregano
- 1 Tbsp dried basil
- 2 Tbsp dried parsley
- Brown meat along with garlic and onion.
- Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water.
- Stir and then add sugar and seasonings.
- Season to taste.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Allow it to simmer for several hours. If it gets too thick, just add some additional water or tomato sauce.
- Stirring frequently.
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I’ll bet you could get this started and then put it in a crock-pot! Too bad I haven’t done that today, as I’m on my way down to Provo to listen to you at Women’s Conference! See you in a little while 🙂
Patti, It was so fun to finally meet you in person and give you a hug. Thanks so much for being there today and smiling at me from the front row. It meant a lot!!
You did a most wonderful job! I’m so happy I was there!
Looks delicious! I need to make a double batch and freeze in smaller portions for those quick dinner nights! Can’t wait to try it:)
Melanie – you will love having it on hand. It has been a lifesaver for me so many times. Sometimes I just eat it by the spoonful right out of the pot!
This sounds just like my mom’s spaghetti sauce…only she still hasn’t written it down. 😉
Thank you!!! Spaghetti is one of my most favorite foods!
I make virtually everything from scratch…..except spaghetti sauce. I am so embarrassed but my family is so used to Hunt’s Spaghetti Sauce from can that I am not sure I can sell your sauce to them but I am going to try. Thanks for sharing!!!
Kim, I’m the same way and use Hunts LOL, hope this went well for your family! I’m going to make this in the next couple days, and hopefully it will go well, I’m looking for something a little better!
i feel so stupid even asking, but do you drain off the fat? do you use a 6 oz. or 12 oz. can of tomato paste? (i didn’t even know you could get a 12 oz. can, but i went into my pantry and i had one of each. ??) do you simmer it with the lid on or off? i am so excited to try this! we haven’t found a canned sauce that we like and the few times i’ve tried making it from scratch, well, it just hasn’t been very good. this looks perfect!! 🙂
I do drain off the fat and I used a 6 oz. can of tomato paste. I simmer it without the lid on the pot. Enjoy!
Hey, making this today. Needed a break from my recipe. Can’t wait!
Do you have a favorite brand of Tomato Sauce that you use?
I really don’t. I tend to buy what’s on sale. I have used the San Marzano brand a few times and it is a really good one.
I made this last week and it really is the yummiest and easiest meat sauce ever! I used chopped Vidalia onion and reduced the sugar. Thank you! I will be making this often. 🙂
HOW did you do the “printable recipe” link? I’ve been wanting to try this for a while and am finally ready to make and print. I was just going to print it, but that was going to take 7 pages… I noticed your “printable recipe” link and it’s a perfect one page with your beautiful photo! I would love to do that on my own recipe blog. Please help if you can. My email is lisainnevada(at)gmail(dot)com
P.S. I wish we lived closer so that my daughter could have taken your kids cooking classes!
Couple other questions… oh never mind, K asked the exact same questions I was going to ask! lol (I don’t feel so stupid now that someone else asked them first)
Lisa 🙂
You have to create another site using Google Sites.com. I just create a new page on the google site for each recipe, then copy and paste it from my blog, into the google site. You can add links back to your blog there as well. This is a great tutorial site I found about it. Hope this helps.
Here is the link – http://foodblogalliance.com/2009/07/how-to-set-up-recipe-print-pages-with-google-sites.php
Thank you so much!! I made this the other night and it was the BEST spaghetti sauce I’ve ever had! Thank you so much for sharing and for giving me the tutorial link 🙂
I made this last week and hubby said it was the best spaghetti ever. My spaghetti uses almost the exact ingredients minus the tomato paste. I’ve always added a can of Campbell’s Tomato Soup instead, which hubby liked, but this came out much better. I’m glad I tried this and this recipe is a definite keeper. Thank you for making me a better wife and mother. Almost forgot, my 8-year old son had 3 helpings (first time ever).
So glad you enjoyed it – it has been a family favorite of ours for years.
Hi! I’m going to make this for a birthday party in a couple weeks, and I’m trying to decide how many batches to make (I’m feeding 14 people)…I know you said you can get two meals out of it…is that feeding you, your husband, and your 4 kids? Thank you!!
This recipe is amazing. My family absolutely loves it!
So glad! Totally one of my favorite comfort meals.
I made this sauce in the crock – pot, and it turned out great. I just added less water – only 1 can instead of 2. Thanks for another great recipe!