Old School Spaghetti Sauce Recipe -

Every family has its own secret spaghetti sauce recipe, passed down through generations, and this one is ours. Originally from my mother, who got it from her sister-in-law, this recipe has evolved over time, getting better with each generation. I can confidently say it’s the best sauce I’ve ever tasted. The unique blend of spicy and sweet flavors sets it apart, and each ingredient plays a crucial role—don’t skip any!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup vegetable oil (or olive oil)
2 large onions, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
4 celery stalks, chopped
4 medium-sized tomatoes, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 can sliced mushrooms
2 pounds medium-fat ground beef (or substitute with ground tofu, or a mix of both)
1 small can (156 ml) tomato paste
2 cans (796 ml each) stewed tomatoes, chopped or whole
1 can (284 ml) tomato soup (Elmer’s or Campbell’s recommended)
1 large can (1.5 liters) tomato juice
1/2 teaspoon each of the following spices: rosemary, marjoram, thyme, nutmeg, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, salt, pepper
4 bay leaves
1/2 cup tightly packed brown sugar (the secret touch!)

Instructions:

1. Sauté the Vegetables

Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, deep saucepan.
Add the chopped onions, green bell pepper, celery, tomatoes, garlic, and mushrooms.
Cook, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.

2. Brown the Meat

Add the ground beef (or tofu) to the pan with the vegetables.
Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned and fully cooked.

3. Add the Tomato Ingredients

Stir in the tomato paste, stewed tomatoes, tomato soup, and tomato juice one at a time.
Ensure you mix well after each addition to blend the flavors.

4. Season the Sauce

Add the spices—rosemary, marjoram, thyme, nutmeg, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, salt, and pepper—one by one, stirring after each addition.
Add the bay leaves and brown sugar, stirring well to combine all the flavors.

5. Simmer to Perfection

Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium.
Let the sauce simmer uncovered for about 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
The surface of the sauce should form a slight gravy. The sauce is ready when it has thickened to your desired consistency.

6. Preserve and Store

Remove the bay leaves from the sauce.
Ladle the hot sauce into sterilized jars. Once cooled, seal the jars tightly and freeze them.

7. Serve and Enjoy

To enjoy, take a jar out a day in advance and let it thaw in the refrigerator.
Serve over your favorite pasta and savor the rich, spicy-sweet flavor of this timeless family recipe.

This sauce is truly special, with its unique blend of flavors that have been perfected over generations. Enjoy every bite!

Old School Spaghetti Sauce Recipe