Best 6 Chicago Style Italian Spaghetti Sauce Recipes

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Indulge in the rich flavors of Chicago-style Italian spaghetti sauce, a culinary masterpiece that embodies the vibrant spirit of the Windy City. This hearty sauce is a symphony of savory ingredients, featuring ground beef, sweet Italian sausage, and a medley of aromatic vegetables. Simmered to perfection in a robust tomato base, it delivers a tantalizing balance of tangy, sweet, and savory notes. Its versatility knows no bounds, making it an ideal accompaniment to spaghetti, meatballs, or as a flavorful topping for pizza. This article presents a collection of carefully curated recipes that explore the nuances of this iconic sauce, offering both traditional and contemporary variations to suit every palate. Whether you prefer the classic simplicity of the original recipe or crave a bolder experience with the addition of red wine or mushrooms, you'll find inspiration and guidance within these pages. So, grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Chicago's culinary heritage.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

GRANDMA MAGGIO'S SPAGHETTI SAUCE



Grandma Maggio's Spaghetti Sauce image

This is one that was recited to me out of memory alone, and described as a hand of garlic, etc., though the ingredient quantities should be accurate. I encourage buying the cheapest versions of these ingredients you can find; it will feed an army for about $15 without ruining the taste. You should add more seasonings based on preference. A great vegetarian sauce, and with meatballs...it makes great meatball sandwiches.

Provided by Sarah Garland

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Tomato

Time 55m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 whole head garlic, peeled and chopped
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
½ cup chopped fresh basil leaves, or to taste
1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
¾ cup Merlot wine
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons dried oregano
¼ cup white sugar

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat, and cook and stir the onion and garlic until translucent but not browned, 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms and basil, and cook and stir until the basil is wilted and the mushrooms are cooked through and have given up their juices, about 10 minutes.
  • Pour in the whole peeled tomatoes, and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring and chopping the tomatoes into pieces with a spoon. Pour in the tomato sauce and stir, crushing any large pieces of tomato left, and bring to a simmer. Let the sauce simmer until slightly thickened and bubbling, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
  • Stir the tomato paste into the sauce, and fill the empty tomato paste can with Merlot wine, stirring to dissolve any remaining tomato paste in the can. Pour the Merlot wine into the sauce, and stir well to combine. Bring the sauce back to a simmer, and stir in the salt, pepper, dried oregano, and sugar. Let the sauce simmer until the seasonings are blended and the sauce is heated through, about 3 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 114.4 calories, Carbohydrate 18 g, Fat 3.1 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 3.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 934.9 mg, Sugar 11.6 g

ITALIAN PASTA SAUCE



Italian Pasta Sauce image

As a special part of their wedding buffet, my daughter Kris' husband fixed a big batch of this thick flavorful pasta sauce. The recipe was brought by his grandmother from Italy more than 80 years ago. -Judy Braun, Juneau, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 2h55m

Yield 20 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

4 pounds ground beef
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 celery ribs, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes in puree
3 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
3 cups chicken or beef broth
1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
3/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon sugar
2 to 3 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice, optional
Hot cooked pasta

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, cook beef in 2 batches over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside. Cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside. In the same pan, saute onion, celery and garlic in oil until vegetables are tender. , Return the beef and sausage to the pan. Add the next 9 ingredients, including allspice if desired, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until sauce reaches desired thickness, stirring occasionally, 2-3 hours. Serve over pasta.Freeze option: Freeze cooled sauce in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally. Add a little broth or water if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 284 calories, Fat 15g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 57mg cholesterol, Sodium 821mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 23g protein.

OLD WORLD ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE



Old World Italian Spaghetti Sauce image

This is a great old world Family recipe. Its also great with italian sausage,or meatballs. Just stir often while cooking when using meats.

Provided by FarahC

Categories     Sauces

Time 3h25m

Yield 12-14 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 cup onion, chopped
3 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup dry red wine
2 1/2 cups water

Steps:

  • In a large stockpot on low-med heat add your olive oil and saute your onions for about 4 minutes,then add your crushed garlic,cook for 2 minutes longer. Then add your water,and tomato products. Be sure to mix everything very well.Add in your spices,and cheese. cook for 2 1/2 hours covered.Then add in your wine, and cook 30 minutes longer. Sauce will be thin on first day.Also if you use meat it will alter thickness.The second day this turns into a nice thick sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 158.6, Fat 5.2, SaturatedFat 1, Cholesterol 1.8, Sodium 647.1, Carbohydrate 25.2, Fiber 5.2, Sugar 9.7, Protein 5.5

CHICAGO-STYLE ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE



Chicago-Style Italian Spaghetti Sauce image

My mom always called this Chicago-style but I'm not sure why. All I know is it's a crowd pleaser! When people at church know it's my spaghetti, we get a big turnout every time.

Provided by Lisa Edington

Categories     Pasta

Time 3h30m

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 Tbsp oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium bell pepper, chopped (any color)
1 lb ground chuck
1 lb italian sausage, sweet
1 clove garlic, minced (or more to taste)
24 oz mushrooms, canned (chop if desired)
36 oz tomato paste
72 oz tomato juice
6 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano

Steps:

  • 1. If you purchased link sausage, remove the sausage from its casing before you start the cooking process.
  • 2. In a large stock pot, saute together the chopped onion, bell pepper and garlic along with the ground chuck and italian sausage. Once the meat has been browned, drain the excess fat off.
  • 3. To the meat add the remainder of your ingredients. Cook covered over low heat for a good three hours, stirring often.
  • 4. If you would rather make a meatless sauce, just eliminate the chuck and sausage. If you would rather use meatballs and pieces of link sausage, add them after the first hour of cooking.
  • 5. FREEZES REALLY WELL! I usually take a Sunday and make a quadruple batch so I always have some in my freezer. Also makes great sauce for baked ziti and lasagne.

RICH ITALIAN PASTA SAUCE



Rich Italian Pasta Sauce image

"I got this recipe 25 years ago from my boyfriend's Italian barber. I've adjusted it a little and now it's my specialty," writes Jeannie Peirce of Brentwood, California. Whip it up for dinner tonight and freeze any remaing sauce for later.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 2h20m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

3/4 pound hot Italian sausage links, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes
1-2/3 cups crushed tomatoes in puree
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Hot cooked pasta

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook beef and onion until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. , Add the tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar and pepper. Stir in sausage. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. , Stir in parsley and oregano. Serve desired amount with pasta. Cool remaining sauce; transfer to freezer containers. Freeze for up to 3 months., To use frozen sauce: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Place in a saucepan and heat through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 191 calories, Fat 8g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 36mg cholesterol, Sodium 721mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE WITH MEATBALLS



Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs image

This is a recipe I got from my mother years ago -- it's great.

Provided by Jeremy

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Tomato

Time 2h20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg, beaten
¾ cup chopped onion
5 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup olive oil
2 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 bay leaf
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
¾ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder and beaten egg. Mix well and form into 12 balls. Store, covered, in refrigerator until needed.
  • In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Stir in tomatoes, salt, sugar and bay leaf. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 90 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, basil, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and meatballs and simmer 30 minutes more. Serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 346.6 calories, Carbohydrate 23 g, Cholesterol 77.4 mg, Fat 21.2 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 18.9 g, SaturatedFat 5.9 g, Sodium 1492.5 mg, Sugar 11.1 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients, especially for the tomatoes and olive oil. Fresh, ripe tomatoes will give your sauce the best flavor, and extra virgin olive oil will add a rich, fruity taste.
  • Don't overcrowd the pot. If you add too much sauce to the pot, it will not cook evenly and will be more likely to burn.
  • Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld and develop.
  • Taste the sauce as it cooks and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may need to add more salt, pepper, or herbs.
  • Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta. Spaghetti is a classic choice, but you can also use penne, rigatoni, or any other type of pasta that you like.

Conclusion:

Chicago-style Italian spaghetti sauce is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used on a variety of dishes. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like it thick or thin, spicy or mild, you are sure to find a Chicago-style Italian spaghetti sauce that you love. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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