Grandma's Spaghetti Sauce

I've been so busy lately with stocking up the freezer (for back-to-school time) and canning, that's why the blog has been a little slow. But this recipe's worth the wait, trust me!

This recipe is my Grandma's spaghetti sauce recipe. She wasn't Italian, but she was married to my Sicilian grandfather, and cooked daily for her family of 7. Some of my best memories of her are related to the kitchen. Her small kitchen (with a plaque that said "Marilyn's Kitchen"), her aprons, her cooking huge pots of spaghetti, and her kitchen being full of homemade pizza every Christmas Eve. I love her & miss her so much!

Here's the recipe in her handwriting


Yum, so meaty & thick!


This is at the end, after simmering. You can see how it has reduced quite a bit.


Grandma's Spaghetti Sauce
Printable version here

2 large cans (12 oz. each) tomato paste
1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. Italian sausage
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp. minced garlic (a few cloves)
2 tbsp. Italian seasoning
Half of 1/3 cup sugar

*Make the day ahead for best flavor

In a large pot (6-8 quart), brown beef, sausage, and onion. Drain grease. Add tomato paste and 9 cups water. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer for about 4 hours. While cooking, add salt, pepper, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Add sugar during the last hour. Taste, and add salt if it still needs something. Cool, then store. May be frozen in dinner-sized portions. Enjoy!

(Note- this is half the amount of the original recipe. If you'd like, and if you have gigantic pots, you may double the recipe.)

Why I love it? Well, it's 50/50- I love it because it's nostalgic and because it's delicious! Sauce from a jar just can't compare. It makes a lot, it's freezable, and we all love it!