Ohhh friends. You’re going to need to sit down for this one.
Because I am sharing with you highly confidential, top secret, coveted information.
My family’s SUPER SECRET SPAGHETTI SAUCE!
This sauce is truly one of a kind. It is from scratch. It is dinner party staple. It is requested for special occasions and week nights alike. And it is gourmet enough to serve to even the most impressive guests.
Ladies and gentlemen…this sauce takes six hours to cook. And believe me when I say…it is worth every gosh darn minute!
It is not gluten free. It is not vegan. It is not Specific Carb Diet friendly. But it is the comfiest of comfort food. So do with that what you will.
And one quick note: as with all recipes, the dish only turns out as good as the ingredients that go into it. SO that means: buy quality, organic ingredients.
For example: the tomato paste and canned tomatoes are the stars of the show. So spend the extra couple bucks on the tomato products imported from Italy. I know it sounds crazy, but there is truly a difference in taste, texture and flavor. Get fresh spices. Top quality meat. Fresh spaghetti, if possible. This is one of those dishes you want the best ingredients for!
SO withtout further ado….
Here’s What You Need! (Makes 10-12 servings)
Sauce:
2 large onions, chopped
1/3 cup olive oil
10 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (12 oz each) tomato paste (I like Cento brand)
1 (28 oz can) crushed or diced tomatoes (I like San Marzano tomatoes from Italy)
11 cups water
5 bay leaves
salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp dried basil
2 Tbsp dried oregano
Meatballs:
1 lb. 90/10 chuck or sirloin, ground
1 lb. Italian Sausage (sweet italian)
1 cup parmesean cheese
1 cup Italian bread crumbs
2 cloves garlic
1 large egg
Tools:
Extra Large stock pot or Le Creuset
Good Chef’s knife
Measuring spoons and cups
Large mixing bowl
Can Opener
Directions:
Saute the onions and garlic in oil. Add paste, tomatoes, water and spices. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. (Covered with a lid)
Meanwhile, make the meatballs by hand-mixing all the ingredients in a large bowl. Tightly pack the meatballs so they don’t fall apart in the sauce. Should make 24 LARGE meatballs.
Add the meatballs after the hard boil stops.
Cook 6-8 hours. Stir gently every 10-15 minutes. Add more seasonings. (I always add more salt and pepper to taste, and Italian seasonings.)
Lastly, I like to skim off the dark red layer of grease that rises to the top from the sausage. It just looks more pleasing to the eye. Don’t put it down the drain though! Store it in a glass container, and then discard once it cools and hardens!
Serve over fresh pasta, and spinkle with fresh parmesean cheese!
(Other serving ideas: over a baked potato. On a hoagie-style bun. With an egg poached in the sauce, like “Eggs in Hell.” Over zucchini noodles.)
OK – this sauce is one for the books. Yes, it takes a long time. Yes, it takes lots of love. But dannnnnng is it worth it!
You can truly tell the difference between a “from scratch” sauce, and a “from a jar” sauce. There is simply no comparison.
The depth of flavors is just incredible. The garlic has infused every little bit of tomato. The meatballs have become melt-in-your-mouth. And the intensity of the tomato is bar-none.
Every time my mom has a dinner party, this is the dish she always makes. She gets some fresh pasta from the mom-and-pop Italian shop, and then this incredible sauce.
So do yourself a favor. Take a day — plan to be home all day to tend to this delicious sauce — clean the house, work from home, give yourself a mani-pedi. But just make this sauce. Freeze half. Give some away. I promise you will have found a new favorite meal.
And sorry mom, for spilling the secret recipe!!!
SECRET’S OUT!!
“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5
***THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS ORDERED MY BOOKS, BLOOM: A JOURNAL BY BEAUTYBEYONDBONES AND “MY BLOGGING TIPS“***Click to order your copy!
SIGN UP BELOW FOR MY FREE NEWSLETTER!
GET MY DAILY VIDEOS, RECIPES AND POSTS DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX!
[mc4wp_form id=”30616″]
Here was yesterday’s video! https://youtu.be/8pmp4ZI968A
MAGIC TOOTHPASTE? Yes! I am in love with this superior whitening toothpaste. It keeps my smile sparkling, without sensitivity or bleach! I made a website where you can directly order this miracle product! So if you want to give it a try, you can go ahead and grab a tube for yourself. I promise, your smile will thank you!Get a tube!
I had so much fun going through the FabFitFun winter box — it’s filled with awesome products — from beauty, to fitness, fashion, skincare, home — all full size, valued at over $250, but sold for only $39.99 when you use my code “SANTABABY!”
Be sure to check out my affiliate, Audible. Listening to audiobooks while I cook is literally my new favorite thing. And just for you, they’re offering a Free 30-Day Trial Membership. And with this free membership, you’re going to get 2 free audiobooks! Literally. Free. It is the best deal ever. And if for some reason, you decide it’s not for you, you can cancel within those 30 days and it’s zero money out of your pocket, plus, you get to keep the 2 audiobooks. Soooo…it’s pretty much a no brainer. Plus, it’s a free and easy way to support this blog! So thank you!!
STAY CONNECTED!
@beauty.beyond.bones – Instagram
For Podcast versions of my posts, please check out Patreon! It’s only $2 a month!! You make this blog possible 🙂
And really quickly, I’ve had several questions concerning my Amazon link (amazon.com/shop/beautybeyondbones) — You do not need to buy one of my specific highlighted products on my page, in order for it to “credit” my account. Any purchases that you search or make from anywhere on Amazon, after first visiting my Amazon page, will credit this blog and help support this blog ministry. I am truly so grateful and appreciative to those of you wanting to do so! So thank you! Again, it is an absolutely free, and easy way for you to help keep this blog going!
BeautyBeyondBones 
Currently making it now. Hope it turns out and good as my grandpa’s and my dads. Three hours in taste tested it. It could use some more salt and pepper and garlic. I added more salt and pepper and minced garlic now.
LikeLike
oh that’s so exciting! thank you for letting me know! i hope you enjoy it, Dan! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
I am making this now. Two hours in and it is smelling absolutely devine (can smell it all over the house). Am hoping to be able to freeze 2 containers.
LikeLike
I am making this at this time and 4 hours in, the entire house is smelling absolutely amazing. Taste tested and had to add a bit more salt and pepper. Can’t wait for dinner tonight. Hoping to be able to freeze 2 containers for later.
LikeLike
Hi Audrey, oh yay!!! I’m so happy to hear that! i hope you all loved it! 🙂 and yes – it certainly makes a lot, so there will be plenty to freeze! 🙂 thanks for sharing your success! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
Wow…. the smell through out my house took me back… way back to mom cooking the all day sauce … ahhh… back to when the spaghetti and meatballs fed the family of 8 kids… Now today this grand pot of goodness was just for me and hubby… it was suppose to be tomorrow nights dinner but the aroma demanded to be eaten today ! I will tell you the only thing I added was a piece of Parmesan rind ! Thanks for the trip down memory lane…. oh and mom… she turn 96 on January 8th 😊
LikeLike
I make a version of this, but I will try yours. Had to buy a jar today because I hadn’t planned ahead and it didn’t have any flavor! Thanks for the like on my blog.
LikeLike
Hi friend, oh great! i hope you love it as much as we did! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
I love that you mentioned using on potatoes or poaching an egg in it. I love using spaghetti sauce for both. This looks like an awesome recipe that I’m going too have to try soon!
LikeLike
I would like to see some comments from people who have actually tried this recipe. Sounds amazing but would like hear from someone who has eaten it.
LikeLike
Hi Jill, the feedback that I have received is terrific! I hope you give this a try and love it too! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
What variety of onions do you use for the sauce? Also, for the meatballs, what kind of Parmesan do you use? Is it the grated kind in the plastic shaker container or is it shredded or flaked?
LikeLike
Hi Corey, thanks for reaching out. I used a yellow onion. And the parmesan was freshly grated by my grocery store. I find that the kind that comes pre-packages has some sort of stabilizer in it that impacts the way it melts. So I prefer the freshly grated parmesan cheese. Thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoy it as much as we did! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
Ok first-I don’t ever comment on recipes-even ones I like. But I had to comment-I made this tonight for dinner and it BLEW MY MIND. Oh my goodness thank you for sharing!!!! Best spaghetti sauce I’ve ever made and I’ve been cooking for 20 years!
LikeLike
Hi Julie! Oh my gosh YAY!!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! That seriously makes me so happy! 🙂 Thanks for making my day! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
Been cooking for 2 hours now, does the sauce thicken as it cooks? Looks and smells great now!!
LikeLike
Thanks George! Yes – it should think a little as it cooks! hope you enjoy it! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
So there’s really no comments of people actually enjoying the sauce other than about 2-3 if that. I was going to make this recipe, but because of the lack of comments of people actually trying it, I am very hesitant.. Also, if you are going to do food blogs, less pictures of you and more of your food production would be great.
LikeLike
Hi Vanessa. Thanks for your feedback. This is my most popular recipe on Pinterest, with literally hundreds of thousands of repins. As for the photos of me – this blog is a way to connect with me. Perhaps you don’t know my story. But who i am and overcoming anorexia is why I started this blog. Showing myself and offering the hope that total and complete healing is possible is why I do what I do. So if you don’t like personal photos, perhaps another food blog would be best for you 🙂 thanks For stopping by! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
Is the lid on or off after putting the meatballs in?
LikeLike
Lid on! thanks for asking!
LikeLike
I lost your recipe I’m do happy I got this email. Thank you.
LikeLike
of course! enjoy! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
I made this sauce and froze it as it was a lot for 2 people. It’s a great sauce. Thanks for posting.
LikeLike
Thank you John! I appreciate you sharing that! Yes- this definitely feeds a crowd! We always have sone in our freezer too. (I think that’s a definite plus for the recipe!) glad you enjoyed it! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
온라인바카라 안전 온라인바카라 이벤트 온라인바카라 특징 온라인카지노 안전
LikeLike
I made your secret sauce yesterday and I can’t thank you enough for sharing! I had a pretty good family recipe that we have used for years and honestly yours blew mine out of the water! So I will be making this for mom and sister and I am sure they will agree our family recipe will need to be retired! I don’t usually comment at all on stuff like this but I am so grateful for you sharing this amazing recipe I wanted to tell you thank you and give you the appreciation you deserve! Also on a side note, I read through some comments and dang some people can be assholes! Who are they to critique how you post on your blog? The pictures are awesome and I think you have one of the best blogs I have seen. Your purpose is honerable and you are a good person willing to share your life with others! Keep doing what you are doing because you are great at it and for the first time I didn’t just get the recipe
And get out as I normally do. Your words drew me in and kept my interest to keep reading. So thank you and I hope you continue to inspire people in such a positive way. ❤️ Jennie
LikeLike
Oh my gosh THANK YOU JENNIE!! this seriously made my day. SO glad you loved it and I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
Hi, what is the secret to thickening the sauce? I made it last week and it was still thin after cooking for 6 hours. Trying it again this evening. Does the sauce need to cool a bit to thicken?
LikeLike
I think the lid being off helps and I made sure it was a good simmer and I stirred it often. It does thicken also as it cools.
LikeLike
Yes true!
LikeLike
Hi Heather! Thanks for your question — having it at a strong simmer, stirring often is key. And as it cools, it will thicken. You could also try to leave the lid partially off for a vent. I’m not sure why it was still thin…that has never happened for me. I would adjust to a stronger simmer 🙂 hope that helps, and thanks so much for giving this recipe a try! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
GM, it looks amazing. Can I use this sauce for lasagna?
LikeLike
Spent all day Sunday making this fabulous spaghetti sauce. Everything was spot on! I did add an extra pound of scrambled ground meat because my men are meat eaters. Thanks for posting such a knock out recipe.
LikeLike
Oh my gosh that is so wonderful! So glad you enjoyed it!! thanks for sharing your success! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
In my family, you’d never catch my Mom or Grandma making homemade spaghetti sauce with canned tomatoes!! We used fresh tomatoes, right off the vine. If she wanted to dress it up a little, she’d add some fresh bell peppers or jalapenos. Our family’s sauce always spent at least 24 hours in the fridge too. Grandma insisted on this, also for most soups too. She said it gave the ingredients time for the flavors to bind together. I always insisted that my beef stew tasted better in leftovers than at the main meal it was made for. My brother was always sneaking tastes from the pot. He’d grab a small piece of bread and dip it in…ah, families!
LikeLike
That is how I make my sauce. From scratch. Ooooh, so good.😊
LikeLike
Hi Patti! it really is so good!! 🙂 thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox
LikeLike
Can you please post the vegetable recipe that’s in the picture with your spaghetti. It looks delicious too!!
LikeLike
Hi Loretta! Sure thing – I will post that next week! 🙂
LikeLike
Sounds delish can I add this to a slow cooker if I don’t have time to make on the stove, if so 4,6,10 hours setting
LikeLike
Beef shank bone in the sauce as it simmers.
LikeLike
Can this be cooked in a crockpot since it needs to cook for 6-8 hours?
LikeLike
Yes! i would think so – just be sure to stir it every now and then!
LikeLike
Did you ever publish the vegetable recipe that is in the picture with the spaghetti, and if so could you please let me know where I could find it? Thank you
LikeLike