Mom’s Spaghetti
This is the spaghetti sauce my mom has made for as long as I can remember, and honestly, it’s the taste of my childhood. I grew up on this sauce— big bowls of spaghetti around the dinner table, mom stirring the pot while the whole house filled with that rich, savory smell of simmering sauce. Some people might find it unusual that it calls for ketchup and a couple of spaghetti sauce mix packets, but to me, that’s just how it’s always been done. And you know what? It works. The result is a sauce that’s meaty, a little tangy, perfectly seasoned, and downright comforting.
Mom’s Spaghetti is the kind of recipe that doesn’t try to be fancy—it just delivers flavor and nostalgia in every bite. My mom even used this sauce in my all-time favorite lasagna, which was a major family dinner event (and yes, I’ll be sharing that recipe soon). So whether you’re making a big family meal or just want a cozy bowl of pasta after a long day, this sauce will quickly become one of your go-to comfort foods too.
Why You’ll Love It
- It’s a family recipe. Tried and true for decades—if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
- Simple pantry staples. No fancy ingredients required.
- Perfectly balanced. A little tangy from the ketchup, savory from the meats, and oh-so-cozy.
- Versatile. Spoon it over spaghetti, use it for lasagna, or mop it up with garlic bread.
Ingredients
- 1 lb mild Italian sausage
- ½ lb ground beef
- ½ onion, chopped
- 1–2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 2 packages spaghetti sauce mix
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 1 ½ tsp garlic salt
- 2 cups water
- 1 lb Spaghetti noodles, or any pasta of your choice
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown the sausage, ground beef, and onion until the meat is fully cooked. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, spaghetti mix packets, ketchup, garlic salt, and water. Mix well.
- Simmer gently for about an hour, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and your kitchen smells like childhood.
- Prepare spaghetti noodles per package directions.
- Serve over cooked spaghetti—or your favorite pasta—and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- Low and slow. If you have the time, letting it simmer for a full hour deepens the flavor.
- Make it ahead. Tastes even better the next day.
- Ketchup control. Start with ¾ cup, but if you like it sweeter, add a little more to taste.
- Mix it up. Swap in hot Italian sausage if you like extra spice.
Pairing Suggestions
- Classic garlic bread – it’s a classic pairing.
- Cheesy bread twists – carbs + sauce = pure happiness.
- Crisp Caesar salad – balances out the richness.
Favorite Tools Used
- Heavy skillet or Dutch oven – to brown the meat evenly.
- Wooden spoon – for stirring (and for scraping every last bit of sauce).
- Pasta pot with strainer – because you don’t want to wrestle spaghetti out of boiling water.
Final Thoughts
Mom’s Spaghetti Sauce may not win any awards for being “authentic,” but it wins in flavor and nostalgia every single time. It’s the sauce that fed me growing up, and now it’s the one I make for my own family. Whether you’re spooning it over spaghetti or tucking it into lasagna, it’s one of those recipes that just feels like home.
If you try Mom’s Spaghetti, I’d love to hear what you think! Drop a comment below, share a pic of your spaghetti night, and don’t forget to save this recipe for when you need a little cozy comfort food in your life.
Mom’s Spaghetti
Equipment
- Large Skillet – to brown the meat evenly.
- Wooden Spoon – forstirring (and for scraping every last bit of sauce).
- Pasta pot with strainer – because you don’t want to wrestle spaghetti out of boiling water.
Ingredients
- 1 lb mild Italian sausage
- ½ lb ground beef
- ½ onion chopped
- 1–2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 – 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 – 6 oz can tomato paste
- 2 – packages spaghetti sauce mix
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 1 ½ tsp garlic salt
- 2 cups water
- 1 lb Spaghetti noodles or any pasta of your choice
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown the sausage, ground beef, and onion until the meat is fully cooked. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, spaghetti mix packets, ketchup, garlic salt, and water. Mix well.
- Simmer gently for about an hour, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and your kitchen smells like childhood.
- Prepare spaghetti noodles per package directions.
- Serve over cooked spaghetti—or your favorite pasta—and enjoy!
Notes
- Low and slow. If you have the time, letting it simmer for a full hour deepens the flavor.
- Make it ahead. Tastes even better the next day.
- Ketchup control. Start with ¾ cup, but if you like it sweeter, add a little more to taste.
- Mix it up. Swap in hot Italian sausage if you like extra spice.