Grandma's Old Fashioned Spaghetti Sauce
Who doesn't love a good old-fashioned spaghetti sauce? It's a classic dish that's been enjoyed by families for generations. But what makes a great spaghetti sauce? For me, it's all about the recipe. And that's why I want to share with you my Grandma's Old Fashioned Spaghetti Sauce recipe. It's been passed down through my family for years, and I think it's the best spaghetti sauce out there.
Ingredients
Before we get started, let's take a look at the ingredients you'll need:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup red wine (optional)
As you can see, the ingredients are pretty simple. You might even have most of them in your pantry already. But don't let the simplicity fool you. When combined in the right way, these ingredients create a rich and delicious sauce that will have your family asking for seconds.
Instructions
Now that you have your ingredients, let's get started:
- In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan and cook until softened.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper to the pan. Stir to combine.
- If using red wine, add it to the pan and stir to combine.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After 30 minutes, remove the lid from the pan and let the sauce simmer for an additional 15-20 minutes to thicken.
- Remove the pan from the heat and let the sauce cool for a few minutes before serving over your favorite pasta.
That's it! It's a simple recipe, but the flavor is unbeatable. And the best part is that it's even better the next day, so make sure to save any leftovers.
Variations
If you want to mix things up a bit, there are a few variations you can try:
- Use ground turkey or Italian sausage instead of ground beef.
- Add diced bell peppers or mushrooms to the sauce.
- Use fresh herbs instead of dried.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Use a combination of crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes for a chunkier sauce.
Feel free to experiment with the recipe and find what works best for you. That's the beauty of cooking. You can make it your own.
Conclusion
And there you have it, my Grandma's Old Fashioned Spaghetti Sauce recipe. It's a classic recipe that's been enjoyed by my family for generations, and I hope it becomes a staple in your family as well. Remember, the key to a great spaghetti sauce is a great recipe. And this one is definitely a winner.