Mama Iuliucci's Sunday Spaghetti Harmony
Every Sunday, my family would gather around the dinner table as the mouthwatering aroma of my Mama Iuliucci's spaghetti sauce filled our home. This cherished recipe, passed down through generations, is not just about the food; it's about the memories created over countless dinners and the laughter shared. The perfect blend of crushed tomatoes, savory spices, and happy memories enveloped in each pot makes it truly irresistible. With a variety of hearty meats and a sprinkle of cheese, this sauce elevates any pasta and promises a comforting meal that beckons loved ones to gather. Dive into this delightful experience, and you’ll understand why our tradition endures. Your kitchen will echo with warmth, and your taste buds will thank you for this timeless treasure!
8
Servings
350
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Crushed tomatoes
2 (cans (28 ounces each))
Tomato puree
1 (can (28 ounces))
Tomato paste
1 (can (6 ounces))
Sugar
1 (tablespoon)
Salt
1.5 (teaspoons)
Black pepper
0.5 (teaspoon)
Italian seasoning
1 (teaspoon)
Garlic powder
1 (teaspoon)
Parsley
1 (tablespoon)
Grated parmesan or romano cheese
0.5 (cup)
Onions
2 (chopped)
Garlic
2 (cloves, chopped)
Italian sausage or homemade meatballs
to taste (cooked)
Spareribs
1-2 (optional)
Cooked chicken thighs or leg
to taste (optional)
Pepperoni
to taste (optional)
Instructions
1
In a large stock pot or dutch oven, combine the crushed tomatoes, tomato puree, and tomato paste.
2
Add one 28-ounce can of water and stir the mixture well.
3
Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer.
4
Sprinkle the sauce with sugar, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, parsley, and grated cheese. Stir thoroughly to combine.
5
In a frying pan, heat about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the sausage or meatballs and fry until they are cooked through.
6
Transfer the cooked sausage or meatballs to the simmering sauce, along with any optional meats like spareribs or leftover chicken.
7
In the same frying pan used for the meat, add chopped onions and garlic without draining the oil. Fry until the onions are tender and the garlic is aromatic.
8
Carefully remove the pan from heat and add about 1/2 cup of water to the pan, swishing it around to combine with the drippings.
9
Pour this flavorful mixture into the simmering sauce and stir well.
10
Allow the sauce to simmer for 3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Keep the pot half-covered for a thicker consistency.
11
If you added pepperoni, chicken, or ribs, remove and set aside. Shred the meat from the chicken and ribs and return it to the sauce.
12
Discard or chop up the pepperoni and add it back to the sauce if desired.
13
Serve this heavenly sauce over your favorite pasta and savor the delightful flavors with family and friends.
Nutrition Information
18.75g
Fat
30g
Carbs
15g
Protein
2.5g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mama Iuliucci's Sunday Spaghetti Harmony?
It is a cherished family recipe for Italian spaghetti sauce passed down through generations, known for its blend of crushed tomatoes, savory spices, and hearty meats.
What are the main tomato ingredients needed for this sauce?
The recipe requires two 28-ounce cans of crushed tomatoes, one 28-ounce can of tomato puree, and one 6-ounce can of tomato paste.
How much water should be added to the sauce base?
You should add one 28-ounce can of water to the tomato mixture.
What seasonings are used in the spaghetti sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with sugar, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and parsley.
Does this recipe include sugar?
Yes, one tablespoon of sugar is added to balance the flavors of the tomato sauce.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should simmer for a total of 3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
What kind of cheese is recommended for the sauce?
The recipe calls for a half cup of grated parmesan or romano cheese.
What meats can be added to this recipe?
Italian sausage or homemade meatballs are standard, with optional additions like spareribs, cooked chicken thighs or legs, and pepperoni.
How should the onions and garlic be prepared?
Two chopped onions and two cloves of chopped garlic should be fried in the meat drippings until the onions are tender and the garlic is aromatic.
Why do you add water to the frying pan after cooking the meat?
Adding about a half cup of water to the pan and swishing it around helps collect the flavorful drippings to be stirred into the sauce.
How do you achieve a thicker sauce consistency?
To get a thicker consistency, keep the pot half-covered while the sauce is simmering.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
The first step is to combine the crushed tomatoes, tomato puree, and tomato paste in a large stock pot or dutch oven.
What should I do with the optional chicken or ribs after simmering?
Remove the meat from the sauce, shred it away from the bones, and then return the shredded meat back into the sauce.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 8 servings.
How many calories are in one serving of this spaghetti sauce?
There are 350 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 18.75g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 30g of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 15g of protein.
Does this recipe provide dietary fiber?
Yes, there is approximately 2.5g of fiber per serving.
What is the best way to serve this sauce?
Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta and enjoy it with family and friends.
What type of pot is best for this recipe?
A large stock pot or a dutch oven is recommended for preparing the sauce.
How much salt is required?
The recipe calls for 1.5 teaspoons of salt.
Is vegetable oil used in this recipe?
Yes, about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil is used in a frying pan to cook the meats.
How many cloves of garlic are needed?
The recipe uses two cloves of chopped fresh garlic in addition to garlic powder.
What is the total ingredient count for this recipe?
There are 16 ingredients in total, including optional items.
Can I use pepperoni in the sauce?
Yes, pepperoni is an optional ingredient that can be added to taste and then chopped up or discarded after simmering.
What temperature should I use for frying the meat?
The sausage or meatballs should be fried over medium heat.
Is there a specific way to stir the spices?
The instructions specify stirring the spices and grated cheese thoroughly to combine them into the tomato base.
What happens after the sauce is brought to a boil?
Once it reaches a boil, you should reduce the heat to a simmer before adding the spices.
Can I use homemade meatballs instead of sausage?
Yes, you can use either Italian sausage or homemade meatballs according to your preference.