I have said before that there are so many food blogging events that I would like to participate in, but the time always seems to get away from me and before I know it, it’s too late. For this one, I’m making it – it may be the last day, but at least I’m here!!
I ran across this Tried, Tested and True event, and knew that I wanted to participate. I get so caught up in trying new recipes that I often forget those recipes that have been made over and over again, for a reason. They are just so good, that they beg to be made over and over again. Ever since I made my roast awhile back, I have been wanting to dig into my recipe box and make some more of the tried and true recipes, and this event was the perfect opportunity.
I only discovered this event a little over a week ago, so I wasn’t very prepared for it. But then, this weekend, my in-laws were in Moab on a 4-wheeling trip, and they were in an accident. After being rushed to the emergency room, they were ok – just a little banged up and bruised. They both have stitches, and my FIL broke a few ribs. My MIL actually lost 3 1/2 pints of blood, but besides the stitches and a big black eye, she is ok. We wanted to help, so we told them that we would make them dinner on Sunday night so they could take it easy and not have to worry about preparing dinner.
When I heard about the accident on Saturday and we decided to do dinner, my mind immediately went to this event. What better time to make something that you know is good and comforting? I couldn’t decide between lasagna or spaghetti, but ended up going with spaghetti. I’m not exactly sure where this recipe comes from. I’m pretty sure I got it from my oldest sister, but whether she made it up or got it from someone else – I’m not sure. But I do know that it is my favorite spaghetti sauce recipe!! I actually had a question while I was making it yesterday, and after I couldn’t get a hold of my sister, I called another sister, and she said that she had just made the same recipe the week before! So I guess this recipe has become a family favorite!
I know this isn’t authentic Italian or probably anything close, but really all that matters is that it is delicious. The only thing I change from my sister’s recipe is adding fresh mushrooms instead of canned – I’m not a big fan of canned mushrooms. They are a bit rubbery to me. The recipe does call for canned spaghetti sauce, but feel free to substitute the same amount of homemade marinara. I always use the store bought, but you can’t tell there are any store bought ingredients in it. It tastes 100% homemade to me!!
You can simmer this as little as 20 minutes, but I like to let it simmer for a few hours to let the flavors meld. This recipe makes a TON, but it freezes very well.
Looking for more free recipes?
Subscribe to my free recipe newsletter to get new family friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing more family-friendly inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram.
The Best Spaghetti Sauce
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 servings 1x
Description
My all-time favorite spaghetti sauce recipe. Simple ingredients come together to form a sauce full of vegetables and meat.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound sausage
- 1 chopped onion
- 2 cloves chopped garlic
- 1 grated carrot
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
- 1 28-oz. can diced tomatoes
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- Tomato sauce can of water
- 1 24-26 oz. jar spaghetti sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 beef bullion cubes
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
Instructions
- Brown ground beef and sausage with onion. Add garlic. Add carrot and parsley – cook for a few minutes. Put the remaining ingredients in pot and simmer at least 20 minutes.
Jenny says
Sounds good to me! If my boys could have their way, they’d prefer to have spaghetti every night. Your pictures are beautiful!!
Grace says
nothing, and i do mean nothing, beats a good meat sauce. i’ll take it over alfredo or marinara any day of the week. fabulous! 🙂
Elle says
That looks SO delicious! I think I’d like some right now for lunch! mmmmm…
Psychgrad says
Wow – I’m glad that your in-laws are ok. Even with all of that you managed to take a good photo of the food. Kudos.
This recipe looks very good and I totally agree with you regarding canned/fresh mushrooms. I think I may have even mentioned this in a post for my spaghetti sauce before. The recipe looks great! Thank you for taking part in Tried, Tested and True!
Elle says
OMG–forgot to say thank goodness your in-laws weren’t terribly hurt!
kat says
that sauce sounds so good, i can’t think of the last time I just cooked up a good meat sauce. I hope your inlaws are healing well.
Maryann says
Spaghetti is always a good choice 🙂
Veron says
Yum, I like everything that goes into it!
taste memory says
I love this recipe. It’s a similar sauce to what my mom used to make for us when growing up in California….esp. w. the mushrooms and the fresh twist too it. I came across richer versions of this sauce when living in midwest/eastcoast…either way this is great to have in the pot for midweek dinners.
Gigi says
You can’t beat a good sauce over pasta and garlic bread. Yummy!
Emiline says
I’m sorry about your in-laws. I can’t believe she lost that much blood-that makes me cringe.
Your spaghetti looks great. I bet the sauce is really flavorful.
Shandy says
Your spaghetti sauce sounds delicious Deb! BTW, I have so missed saying Hi. Because I read your blog and check in so much, it just feels like a friendship and one that has been missed =). Your in-laws accident sounds really scary! That is a LOT of blood to lose. My MIL just had to have 2 pints of blood and she said it takes 4 hours to receive 1 pint. I think those phonecalls are the most emotionally stressful. I am glad to hear they are going to be okay and you are wonderful to have made them dinner.
I am always looking for a spaghetti sauce because I am just not happy with the different ones I have been trying. I will have to try yours this week because my daughter has been asking for a spaghetti dinner . . .now that she is kind of out of the dog house. . .a little =)
Patricia Scarpin says
Deb, I hope your in laws are recovering now. That’s serious!
And this pasta sauce would make Joao run to your place to have dinner. 😉
glamah16 says
Sounds like my type of sauce. Hope the in laws recover soon.Wehave been eating a lot of pasta lately.It is comforting.
Cookie baker Lynn says
Your spaghetti sauce looks very tasty. I’m sure your in-laws appreciated both the spaghetti and the thoughtfulness. I’m so glad that they’re OK!
Kevin says
That spaghetti sauce looks and sounds good. I like to make big batches of spaghetti sauce and freeze it as well. It makes for a quick emergency meal.
Sandy says
I love combining ground beef and sausage. Mmmm, YUM!
chou says
Oh, I’m glad your in-laws are okay! I hope the trip was fun up to that time.
Lina says
A instant family classic!
The Baker & The Curry Maker says
Yum! This looks great, I’ll be trying that for sure!
The Baker & The Curry Maker says
Yum! This looks great, I’ll be trying that for sure!
kellypea says
Your ingredients list is droolworthy, so no wonder you make this over and over again. YUM! Um…but what about your in laws. JEEZ! How scary! And I would so totally think about food. It makes everybody feel better.
Ryley says
Have you ever made the Pioneer womans lasagna?? It is sooooo good.. if you havent made it.. you should!! 🙂
But I have a hard time finding hot breakfast sausage here, so I do half hot italian and half reg breakfast sausage.
This sauce looks really good though.. I’ll have to add it to my list!!
Ann says
How wonderful to be able to make something you know is great AND comforting for family when they need a little extra TLC! Your recipe looks delicious!
Rosie says
This sounds a winner to me as I adore pasta in any form!!
Rosie x
Celine says
I made this last night and it was fabulous! thanks so much!
Blair says
Silly question, but is the rosemary dried or fresh? I am kind of spice-ignorant so I might not figure it out on my own!
Deborah says
Blair – in this recipe, it is dried. I really should have specified that!!
Erin from The Sisters Cafe says
I posted this recipe on my site today, with credit and link to you of course! Thank you for the delicious recipe!