Southern Spaghetti Sauce is a thick, flavorful sauce with lots of ground beef, onion, and bell pepper. It has a hint of sweetness to it which really brings out the tomato flavor. Freezes well.
This spaghetti sauce is one of my favorite comfort foods to make and it reminds me of the sauce my grandmother used to make. It was always a treat when we got it because my grandmother only knew how to cook two things that I’m aware of- spaghetti sauce and shrimp salad. It’s very thick and full of ground beef, onions, and bell peppers. A hefty spoonful of sugar adds some sweetness and cuts any bitterness in the tomatoes. Two whole cans of tomato paste give it an extra intense flavor.
I like this sauce so much, I have been known to skip the pasta and just eat a bowl full of sauce with a spoon. With lots of Parmesan cheese on top- the kind in the green can. Usually I prefer fresh Parmesan on things, but maybe since I grew up eating spaghetti sauce like this one with grated Parmesan out of a can, it’s just what I crave.
Childhood food memories are the best aren’t they?
This sauce freezes really well and I’ll often make a double batch of it and freeze half for a second meal.
Watch the short video below to see how easy this sauce is to make.
Southern Spaghetti Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 large onion,, diced
- 1 green bell pepper,, diced
- 1 clove garlic,, minced
- 2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can stewed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar,, the original recipe calls for 2 tablespoons, but I just add one
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Brown beef in a large heavy bottomed pot. Drain fat.
- Add onion and green pepper and saute until onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute 30 seconds.
- Add tomato paste, tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, seasonings, and water.
- Simmer 30 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe Source: adapted from Paula Deen
I just made a huge batch of spaghetti sauce after new years as there’s nothing better after ham, turkey, beef, etc. Your sauce sounds so good with all of that tomato paste and the green peppers. Looks delicious!
Thank you Marcie! I agree, after all the holiday foods, it’s nice just to have some regular old comfort foods 🙂
This sauce looks so delicious! I love how chunky it is! Pass some down!
Chunky sauces are my favorite 🙂
Have a great week Layla!
This looks delicious Christin. Spaghetti is our go-to food whenever we don’t know what else to eat. 🙂 To say we love it is an understatement! This recipe looks fabulous!
Thanks Krisit! I’ve never heard anyone complain about eating spaghetti. That’s for sure. Always a great go-to food 🙂
Wow this looks so thick and chunky and awesome! Childhood food memories are the best – I have a few things that I just won’t change even though I usually prefer other things etc… just because of the sentimental value they somehow taste better! Hope you’re having a great weekend!
I know what you mean! There’s only 1 food I can’t eat as an adult that I loved as a child and that’s beanie weanies! I think that’s how you spell it. LOL!
I still eat beanie weenies sometimes, but they don’t seem to taste as good as they did back then.
I agree. They don’t seem to taste as good anymore.
They’re many foods that don’t taste the same and this one is better!
I laughed when I read you ate the sauce and left the pasta. I would do that too. This looks remarkable!
This chunky sauce looks incredible Christin, I would totally eat a bowl full of this sauce alone too. It sounds so flavorful and tasty and I love that it reminds you of your grandmother’s version 🙂
Oh boy – this chunky, meaty sauce is calling out to me! I can see why you’d be satisfied with just the sauce itself! And how nice that it reminds you of your grandmother (even if she could only cook 2 things ; ).
Chunky spaghetti sauce is my favorite, and this one looks so so good that I’d definitely leave out the pasta ; )
Enjoy the rest of your weekend! xx
Beautiful and so delicious looking.
I love how chunky this sauce is. I can see why you eat it straight without the pasta. It’s so hearty and yummy, I’d do the same thing! Pinned. Happy New Year Christin! Looking forward to see more of your delicious recipes. 🙂