Jolean's Ultimate Comfort Spaghetti Sauce
This rich and savory spaghetti sauce has been cherished through generations, capturing the essence of family Sunday dinners. Passed down from my beloved mother, the aroma of simmering tomatoes and spices fills the home, evoking warmth and nostalgia. The blend of ground meats and fresh vegetables creates a hearty sauce that clings to perfectly cooked vermicelli pasta, making it a comforting meal that's satisfying enough to leave everyone feeling delightfully full. A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan adds a finishing touch that enhances the sauce's rich flavors, ensuring this dish becomes a beloved staple in your own family gatherings.
8
Servings
225
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
oil
3 tablespoons (none)
onion
1/2 cup (diced)
celery
1/2 cup (diced)
green pepper
1/2 cup (diced)
garlic
1 large clove (minced)
ground sirloin
1 1/2 lbs (none)
ground pork or veal
1/2 lb (none)
tomato paste
2 (6 ounce) cans (none)
tomato sauce
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (none)
stewed tomatoes
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans (not drained)
sliced button mushrooms
1 (4 1/2 ounce) can (not drained)
whole mushrooms
1 (4 1/2 ounce) can (not drained)
salt
2 1/2 teaspoons (none)
pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (none)
allspice
1/2 teaspoon (none)
oregano
1 teaspoon (none)
sugar
4 teaspoons (none)
parsley
5 tablespoons (chopped)
Parmesan cheese
7 tablespoons (grated)
Instructions
1
In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery, green pepper, and minced garlic, sautéing until the vegetables are softened but still firm, about 3-4 minutes. Push the vegetables to the side of the pot.
2
Add the ground sirloin and ground pork (or veal) to the center of the pot. Brown the meat, breaking it into larger chunks — you want some texture. Once browned, mix the meat with the sautéed vegetables until well incorporated.
3
Stir in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, and stewed tomatoes, mixing thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
4
Gently fold in the sliced mushrooms and whole mushrooms along with their liquid, ensuring even distribution.
5
Add salt, pepper, nutmeg, allspice, oregano, sugar, chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
6
Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for at least 1.5 hours, stirring frequently to avoid sticking. For best results, simmer longer to deepen the flavors.
7
Once ready, serve the sauce generously over cooked, drained, and buttered vermicelli pasta. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Information
13.5
Fat
13.75
Carbs
12.5
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jolean's Ultimate Comfort Spaghetti Sauce?
It is a rich and savory spaghetti sauce passed down through generations, capturing the essence of family Sunday dinners.
Who passed down this spaghetti sauce recipe?
The recipe was passed down from the creator's beloved mother.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
What type of pasta is recommended for this sauce?
The sauce is best served over perfectly cooked, drained, and buttered vermicelli pasta.
What types of meat are used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 lbs of ground sirloin and 1/2 lb of ground pork or veal.
How long should the base vegetables be sautéed?
The onion, celery, green pepper, and garlic should be sautéed for about 3-4 minutes until softened but still firm.
What is the recommended simmer time for the sauce?
The sauce should simmer for at least 1.5 hours, though simmering longer is recommended to deepen the flavors.
Do you drain the canned mushrooms for this recipe?
No, both the sliced button mushrooms and whole mushrooms are added along with their liquid.
Should the stewed tomatoes be drained?
No, the stewed tomatoes should not be drained.
What are the calorie counts per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 225 calories.
How much protein is in each serving of this sauce?
There are 12.5 grams of protein per serving.
What unique spices are included in the recipe?
The recipe uses nutmeg and allspice in addition to standard spices like oregano.
Is sugar included in Jolean's spaghetti sauce?
Yes, the recipe calls for 4 teaspoons of sugar.
What are the primary vegetables in the sauce?
The vegetable base consists of onion, celery, green pepper, and garlic.
How should the meat be textured when browning?
The meat should be broken into larger chunks to ensure the sauce has plenty of texture.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe requires one large clove of garlic, minced.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 13.5 grams of fat in each serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a single serving?
Each serving contains 13.75 grams of carbohydrates.
What tomato products are used in this recipe?
The sauce uses tomato paste, tomato sauce, and stewed tomatoes.
How much oil is needed for the initial sauté?
3 tablespoons of oil are used to heat the pot and sauté the vegetables.
Is Parmesan cheese added directly into the sauce?
Yes, 7 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese are stirred into the sauce during cooking.
What is the first instruction for preparing the sauce?
The first step is to heat oil in a large stockpot and sauté the diced onion, celery, green pepper, and minced garlic.
How should the sauce be cooked once all ingredients are added?
Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer while covered.
How often should the sauce be stirred while simmering?
The sauce should be stirred frequently to avoid sticking to the pot.
What types of mushrooms are used in the sauce?
The recipe uses one can of sliced button mushrooms and one can of whole mushrooms.
Is fresh parsley used in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for 5 tablespoons of chopped parsley.
How much salt is needed?
The recipe requires 2 1/2 teaspoons of salt.
Can I add extra cheese when serving?
Yes, you can garnish the finished dish with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
What kind of pot is recommended for cooking?
A large stockpot or Dutch oven is recommended for this recipe.
Why is this sauce considered ultimate comfort food?
It is considered comfort food due to its rich flavors, hearty meats, and the nostalgic aroma that fills the home while simmering.