Savory Italian Heritage Spaghetti Sauce
This rich and flavorful spaghetti sauce is a beloved family recipe, crafted with love and a dash of creativity. Combining a medley of canned tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and savory ground sirloin, this sauce is perfect for those slow-cooked family dinners. The addition of Merlot wine and a hint of brown sugar adds depth to the flavor profile, while the sautéed vegetables bring a delightful texture. Simmered to perfection over several hours, this sauce enhances any pasta dish and is even better when enjoyed as leftovers. Freeze any extras for a quick meal solution later on!
10
Servings
300
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
Crushed tomatoes in puree
28 ounces (canned)
Tomato paste
12 ounces (canned)
Tomato sauce
8 ounces (canned)
Stewed tomatoes with basil and garlic
14.5 ounces (canned)
Mushroom stems and pieces
4 ounces (canned)
Bay leaves
2 (whole)
Merlot wine
1/4 cup (liquid)
Dried basil
2 teaspoons (dried)
Dried oregano
1 teaspoon (dried)
Ground sirloin
1 pound (raw)
Garlic, chopped
4 cloves (fresh)
Vidalia onion, chopped
1 large (fresh)
Carrots, finely chopped
2 (fresh)
Garlic powder
1 teaspoon (dried)
Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon (liquid)
Brown sugar
1.5 teaspoons (granulated)
Extra virgin olive oil
1 turn of the pan (liquid)
Salt
to taste (seasoning)
Pepper
to taste (seasoning)
Parsley flakes
1 teaspoon (dried)
Grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon (fresh)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, heat a generous splash of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat.
2
Add the chopped Vidalia onion, garlic, and finely chopped carrots. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender and fragrant.
3
Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground sirloin to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes.
4
Once the meat is browned, sprinkle in the dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, parsley flakes, Worcestershire sauce, and season with salt and pepper to your liking. Stir well to combine and let the spices bloom for about 2 minutes.
5
Pour in the Merlot wine, allowing it to simmer for about 3-5 minutes to reduce slightly and deepen in flavor.
6
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, and mushroom stems and pieces. Mix everything together thoroughly.
7
Add the bay leaves and brown sugar to the sauce, stirring to incorporate.
8
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the sauce simmer for at least 5 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. For even better flavor, you can simmer it longer if time allows.
9
After simmering, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
10
Serve the sauce over freshly cooked spaghetti noodles, and finish with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese for an extra touch of flavor.
Nutrition Information
15
Fat
25
Carbs
18
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Italian Heritage Spaghetti Sauce?
It is a rich and flavorful family recipe made with canned tomatoes, ground sirloin, and aromatic herbs, slow-cooked to perfection.
What type of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one pound of raw ground sirloin.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should simmer on low heat for at least 5 hours, though simmering it longer can further enhance the flavor.
Can this spaghetti sauce be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze any extra sauce for a quick and easy meal solution later on.
What kind of wine should I use?
The recipe recommends using 1/4 cup of Merlot wine to deepen the flavor profile.
Why are carrots included in the sauce?
Finely chopped carrots are added to provide a delightful texture and a hint of natural sweetness.
Is this sauce better the next day?
Yes, the sauce is known to be even better when enjoyed as leftovers after the flavors have had more time to meld.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 10 servings.
What varieties of canned tomatoes are required?
The recipe uses crushed tomatoes in puree, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and stewed tomatoes with basil and garlic.
Should the bay leaves be removed before serving?
Yes, you should remove the two whole bay leaves from the pot before serving the sauce.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
How much protein is in a serving of this sauce?
There are 18 grams of protein per serving.
What type of onion is best for this recipe?
A large Vidalia onion is recommended for its sweet and mild flavor.
What dried herbs are used in the seasoning?
The sauce is seasoned with dried basil, dried oregano, parsley flakes, and garlic powder.
Does the recipe contain sugar?
Yes, it includes 1.5 teaspoons of brown sugar to help balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
How do I prepare the vegetables?
Sauté the chopped Vidalia onion, garlic, and finely chopped carrots in olive oil for 5-7 minutes until tender.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 15 grams of fat in each serving.
Can I use fresh garlic?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 4 fresh cloves of chopped garlic in addition to garlic powder.
Are there mushrooms in this sauce?
Yes, the recipe includes 4 ounces of canned mushroom stems and pieces.
What oil is used for sautéing?
Extra virgin olive oil is used to sauté the vegetables.
How much Worcestershire sauce is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 25 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How long should I cook the ground sirloin?
Cook the meat for about 8-10 minutes until it is browned and no longer pink.
What should I serve with this sauce?
Serve the sauce over freshly cooked spaghetti noodles and top with grated parmesan cheese.
Is this a family recipe?
Yes, it is described as a beloved family heritage recipe crafted with love.
How much Merlot wine do I add?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of Merlot wine.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to heat a generous splash of extra virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
How do I adjust the final seasoning?
After simmering, you should taste the sauce and add salt and pepper to your liking.
Is this considered a slow-cooked meal?
Yes, it is a slow-cooked sauce meant for long simmering to develop deep flavors.
Does this recipe use tomato paste?
Yes, it uses 12 ounces of canned tomato paste.