Growing up my dad always made the best spaghetti. It was savory, meaty, and sweet, and everyone loved it. He’d make it while camping or at home and everyone who tried it always had a ton of wonderful things to say!

My dad rarely writes down recipes he uses, and would rarely read recipes from a book. So gathering his recipes for the family cookbook was a special treat and something I’m so glad that I did!

I also tried to keep his wording as much as possible. I find this important for all family recipes because I feel like it kind of preserves their personality in the recipe. Looking at the recipes of my great great grandparents that I never met, and seeing them “remove from fire” and other wording always makes me smile and I want to keep that for the future as well.

Dad’s Famous Spaghetti Sauce

1 Lg Can Tomato Sauce
1 Lg Can whole or diced tomatoes
1 Small Can tomato paste
1 bell pepper, diced
1 onion, diced
1 lb or more sliced mushrooms
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2-3 Tbsp olive oil
Good splash of Burgundy wine (to taste)
2 Tbsp butter
Parmesan Cheese
1 1/2 Lb ground beef
1 lb sausage (optional)

Instructions:

1. Brown beef and sausage. Drain well.
2. Sauté the onions, peppers, mushrooms, and garlic in butter and olive oil until soft.
3. Add canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and wine.
4. Add Cooked meat, stir well.
5. Heat to a simmer. Let cook for about 20 minutes. Can add more tomato sauce or water if too thick.
6. Serve over pasta of choice, top with grated parmesan right before serving.
7. Serve with garlic bread to sop up sauce.

Tips:

• In place of the wine you can add a good dollop of grape jelly!