Nonna's Hearty Spaghetti Sauce
Experience the comforting taste of Nonna's Hearty Spaghetti Sauce, a cherished family recipe that brings everyone together around the dinner table. This rich and flavorful sauce starts with sautéed garlic and onion, enhanced by the savory blend of ground sirloin and Italian sausage, and is simmered to perfection with a medley of tomatoes. We use Dei Fratelli products for their superior flavor, but feel free to substitute as needed. The sauce becomes even more delicious after a night in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep or Sunday dinners. Serve it over your favorite pasta with a sprinkle of parmesan for a meal that will warm your heart.
N/A
Servings
150
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
2 tablespoons (melted)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
Garlic cloves
3 (minced)
Onion
1/2 large (chopped)
Ground sirloin
1/2 lb (raw)
Mild Italian sausage
1-2 links (removed from casing and broken into small bits)
Petite diced tomatoes
28 ounces (canned (Dei Fratelli))
Tomato sauce
0.5 (28 ounce) can (canned (Dei Fratelli, plain))
Tomato paste
6 ounces (canned)
Salt
1-2 teaspoons (to taste)
Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Sugar
1-2 teaspoons (to taste)
Dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
Bay leaves
2-3 (whole)
Instructions
1
In a large Dutch oven, melt the butter along with the olive oil over medium heat.
2
Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, sautéing until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
3
Increase the heat to medium-high, then add the ground sirloin and broken-up Italian sausage. Cook until both are browned and no longer pink, stirring occasionally to break up the meat.
4
Once the meat is browned, stir in the petite diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, pepper, sugar, oregano, and bay leaves. Mix well, ensuring all ingredients are combined.
5
Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cover the pot with an offset lid and let it simmer gently for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
6
Remove the bay leaves before serving. Enjoy this delectable sauce over freshly cooked spaghetti and top with grated parmesan cheese to taste.
Nutrition Information
7g
Fat
17.5g
Carbs
8.75g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nonna's Hearty Spaghetti Sauce?
Nonna's Hearty Spaghetti Sauce is a rich and flavorful family recipe that combines ground sirloin, Italian sausage, and a medley of tomatoes for a comforting pasta meal.
What meats are included in this sauce?
The recipe uses 1/2 lb of ground sirloin and 1 to 2 links of mild Italian sausage removed from their casings.
Can I substitute the tomato brands?
Yes. While the recipe recommends Dei Fratelli products for superior flavor, you can substitute them with other brands as needed.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should simmer gently on the lowest heat setting for 2 hours.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, the sauce becomes even more delicious after a night in the fridge, making it ideal for meal prep or making ahead of time.
How do I prepare the garlic and onion?
The recipe requires 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 of a large onion, chopped.
What is the first step in making the sauce?
The process begins by melting 2 tablespoons of butter with 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the minced garlic and chopped onion for about 5 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
When do I add the meat?
After the onions are soft, increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground sirloin and broken-up Italian sausage.
Do I need to brown the meat completely?
Yes, cook the meat until both the sirloin and sausage are browned and no longer pink.
What types of tomato products are used?
The sauce uses 28 ounces of petite diced tomatoes, 14 ounces of tomato sauce, and 6 ounces of tomato paste.
What spices and herbs are added to the sauce?
The recipe includes salt, pepper, sugar, dried oregano, and 2 to 3 whole bay leaves.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar to balance the acidity, adjusted to taste.
Do I keep the lid on while simmering?
The instructions recommend covering the pot with an offset lid to allow the sauce to simmer gently.
Should I remove the bay leaves?
Yes, ensure you remove the 2 to 3 bay leaves before serving the sauce.
What is the best way to serve this sauce?
Serve it over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti, and top with grated parmesan cheese.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 150 calories per serving of this sauce.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 7g of fat.
How much protein is in each serving?
This hearty sauce provides 8.75g of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in the sauce?
There are 17.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients in total, ranging from fats and meats to vegetables and spices.
Can I use a different type of sausage?
The recipe specifies mild Italian sausage, but you can use spicy Italian sausage if you prefer more heat.
What size of tomato sauce can should I use?
The recipe calls for 0.5 of a 28-ounce can, which is 14 ounces.
Is butter necessary for this recipe?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of butter combined with olive oil to start the base for added richness.
What is the recommended amount of salt?
Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of salt depending on your personal taste preference.
What categories does this recipe fall into?
This is categorized as a spaghetti sauce, Italian dish, family recipe, comfort food, and pasta sauce.
How much black pepper is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, though you can adjust this to taste.
How much dried oregano should I add?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano.
Does this sauce contain fiber?
The specific fiber content is not listed in the nutritional facts for this recipe.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead?
While the recipe calls for canned petite diced tomatoes for convenience and consistency, you could use fresh if you adjust cooking times.