Very Speciale Spaghetti Sauce

Dive into the rich, savory flavors of this *Very Speciale Spaghetti Sauce*, a robust homemade recipe guaranteed to elevate your pasta nights. Crafted with a harmonious blend of browned ground beef and Italian sausage, this sauce is enriched with the vibrant trio of grated carrot, finely chopped celery, and sautéed onions for added depth. Slow-simmered with red wine, crushed tomatoes, and fragrant herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme, this sauce achieves a perfectly balanced flavor with a hint of sweetness from a touch of sugar. Whether ladled over spaghetti, layered into lasagna, or used in baked ziti, this hearty sauce is the ultimate comfort food. Ready in just over an hour and making enough for six servings, it’s a perfect option for family meals or meal-prepping freezer-friendly dinners. Enjoy this culinary masterpiece that transforms simple ingredients into an irresistible Italian favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:110 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium carrot, finely grated
• 1 medium celery stalk, finely chopped
• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 pound ground Italian sausage
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 0.5 cup red wine
• 1 cup chicken or beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 0 salt, to taste
• 0 black pepper, to taste

Directions

Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, grated carrot, and chopped celery. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.

Step 4

Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.

Step 6

Deglaze the pot with red wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Let the alcohol cook off for about 2-3 minutes.

Step 7

Add the crushed tomatoes, chicken or beef broth, oregano, basil, thyme, red pepper flakes (if using), bay leaves, and sugar. Stir to combine.

Step 8

Lower the heat to a simmer and cover the pot partially with a lid. Allow the sauce to cook for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally.

Step 9

Remove the bay leaves and stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 10

Serve over your favorite pasta, or use as a base for other dishes such as lasagna or baked ziti.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2276.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2437.4

Total Fat 169.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 57.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 462.1mg	0%
Sodium 4415.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 97.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.0g	0%
Total Sugars 54.0g
Protein 129.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 632.5mg	0%
Iron 24.1mg	0%
Potassium 6197.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 62.6%

Protein: 21.3%

Carbs: 16.1%