Best Spaghetti Recipe

best spaghetti recipe

Jo Mama’s World Famous Spaghetti

best spaghetti recipe

My kids will give up a steak dinner for this spaghetti. It is a recipe I have been perfecting for years and it is so good (if I may humbly say) that my kids are disappointed when they eat spaghetti anywhere else but home! In fact they tell me I should open a restaurant and serve only this spaghetti and garlic bread. In response to requests, I have posted the recipe for Recipe #28559 that uses approximately 1/2 of the sauce from this recipe. Have spaghetti one night and lasagna later! Thanks to all of you who have tried my recipe and have written a review. I read and appreciate every one of them! Chef Note: After I posted this recipe I remembered a funny incident–my dear husband usually has a nice bottle of wine handy so when I make a batch of spaghetti I just help myself to a splash of it. On one occasion, there wasn’t a bottle opened, but there was a bottle sitting on the counter so I got out the corkscrew and helped myself. For some reason, the spaghetti that night was the best ever. My husband asked what wine I put in it and I showed him the bottle. He nearly fell off the chair. I had opened a rather expensive bottle he had bought to give his boss. Goes to show you–don’t use a wine for cooking you wouldn’t drink. You get the best results from a good wine!

Prep: 20min

Total: 1h20min

Yield: 4 quarts, 10-14 serving(s)

Nutrition Facts: calories 555.9, Fat 26.3, Saturated Fat 9, Cholesterol 51.8, Sodium 2058.6, Carbohydrate 50.1, Fiber 3.8, Sugar 11.4, Protein 29.8

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs Italian sausage, casings removed (mild or hot)
  • 1 small onion, chopped (optional)
  • 3 -4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
  • 2 cups water (for a long period of simmering for flavors to meld. If you don’t want to simmer it as long, add less)
  • 3 teaspoons basil
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup red wine (a good Cabernet!)
  • 1 lb thin spaghetti
  • parmesan cheese

Instruction:

  1. In large, heavy stockpot, brown Italian sausage, breaking up as you stir.
  2. Add onions and continue to cook, stirring occasionally until onions are softened.
  3. Add garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce and water.
  4. Add basil, parsley, brown sugar, salt, crushed red pepper, and black pepper.
  5. Stir well and barely bring to a boil.
  6. Stir in red wine.
  7. Simmer on low, stirring frequently for at least an hour. A longer simmer makes for a better sauce, just be careful not to let it burn!
  8. Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
  9. Spoon sauce over drained spaghetti noodles and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

best spaghetti recipe

Easy homemade spaghetti sauce, using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry! This recipe is a family dinner staple!

Prep: 10min

Total: 40min

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 303 kcal, Carbohydrate 16 g, Protein 18 g, Fat 18 g, Saturated Fat 7 g, Cholesterol 64 mg, Sodium 814 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 11 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground beef ((or 1/2 lb ground Italian sausage and 1/2 lb ground beef))
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper (, to taste)
  • 1 medium onion (, chopped)
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • 6 ounces tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 Tablespoon dried parsley flakes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • crushed red pepper flakes (, to taste)
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves ((optional))
  • spaghetti noodles (, for serving)

Instruction:

  1. Season ground beef with salt and pepper.
  2. In a large skillet, add the beef and chopped onion and brown. Drain excess grease.
  3. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, worcestershire, and sugar to the skillet.
  4. Stir well to combine and bring to a boil. Add water and stir well.
  5. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add chopped basil before serving, if desired.
  6. This sauce tastes great in Spaghetti Pie, Million Dollar Spaghetti, Slow Cooker Lasagna and Instant Pot Spaghetti.

Best Spaghetti Ever!

FAQ

What is the secret to good spaghetti?

IF YOU COOK spaghetti in a big pot of water, drain it, then toss it with sauce, you are pouring a lot of flavor down the drain, says Vendemmia chef Brian Clevenger. “The trick to good pasta is cooking it in the sauce,” he says. It was while working at Delfina in San Francisco that he really started to understand why.

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best spaghetti?

Try adding something acidic! Acids brighten up flavors and add a delicious tanginess. While you’re warming up your pasta sauce, add a splash of red wine vinegar, lemon juice, or balsamic vinegar, or add some chopped olives or capers. You’ll be surprised by the difference a little bit of acid can make!

How do you make spaghetti pasta taste better?

Red pepper flakes, dehydrated or fresh garlic, dried oregano, parsley, or basil, or an Italian seasoning blend are all good options. Dried herbs and spices should be added at the beginning of the cook time so that they have time to bloom.

About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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