Jo Mama’s World Famous Spaghetti Recipe

Imagine coming home to the aroma of a simmering pot of Jo Mama’s World Famous Spaghetti, filling your kitchen with the perfect blend of Italian sausage, tomatoes, and spices.

The secret lies in the careful selection and balance of spices like basil, parsley, and crushed red pepper, which meld together during a slow, steady simmer.

This copycat recipe is not only flavorful but also flexible, allowing you to adjust the heat level or even swap out the sausage for ground beef if desired.

How to Make Jo Mama’s World-Famous Spaghetti

Ingredients List

• 2 lbs Italian sausage (mild or hot), casings removed
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped (optional)
• 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes, crushed by hand
• 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
• 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried)
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
• 1.5 lbs spaghetti noodles, cooked according to package instructions

Step by Step process

Step 1

Brown the meats: In a large, heavy stockpot, brown the Italian sausage and lean ground beef, breaking them up as you stir.

Cook until both meats are no longer pink and are evenly crumbled.

Step 2

Sauté onions and garlic: Add the chopped onion to the pot and continue cooking, stirring occasionally until the onions are softened.

Then, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.

Step 3

Prepare the sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water to the pot.

Stir everything together until it is well combined.

Season the sauce: Add the chopped basil, parsley, brown sugar, kosher salt, crushed red pepper, and ground black pepper to the pot.

Stir well to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the sauce.

Step 4

Simmer: Stir in the red wine, if using, and then barely bring the sauce to a boil.

Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 1.5 – 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Cook the spaghetti noodles: While the sauce is simmering, prepare the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions.

Once cooked, drain and set aside.

Step 5

Serve: Spoon the sauce over the cooked spaghetti noodles and garnish with additional parsley flakes or grated cheese as desired.

Enjoy your delicious Jo Mama’s World Famous Spaghetti with friends and family.

Don’t forget to serve it with a side of your favorite garlic bread or a crisp, refreshing salad.

Side Dishes for Jo Mama’s World Famous Spaghetti

When enjoying Jo Mama’s World Famous Spaghetti, you’ll want some delicious side dishes to complement the meal.

Here are some perfect accompaniments that will enhance your spaghetti dinner experience.

Buttery Garlic Bread

What better to go along with a plate of spaghetti than a side of warm, buttery garlic bread?

You can make your own by spreading a mixture of butter, garlic, and parsley on a sliced baguette or buy a pre-made garlic bread from the store.

Either way, this side dish brings a delightful crunchiness and garlicky flavor that pairs perfectly with the rich, tomato-based spaghetti sauce.

Killer Garlic Rolls

If you’re looking for something a tad different from the traditional garlic bread, try Killer Garlic Rolls.

These soft, doughy rolls can be served hot or warm, and are infused with garlic butter.

They work wonderfully at soaking up the delicious sauce from your spaghetti plate.

As an added benefit, you can use any leftover rolls as a base for a satisfying sandwich the next day.

Other side dishes that are commonly served alongside Jo Mama’s World Famous Spaghetti include green salads with a mix of fresh vegetables, topped with a simple vinaigrette or Italian dressing.

You may also want to consider adding some marinated olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted red peppers to your table, as their tangy taste effectively cuts through the richness of the spaghetti sauce.

Whatever side dishes you choose, remember that they should complement, not overpower, the amazing flavors of Jo Mama’s World Famous Spaghetti.

With the right accompaniments, you can elevate an already delicious dish into a memorable meal.

Ingredients Substitutes

Tomato Sauce Substitute

If you don’t have canned tomato sauce at your disposal, you can use canned crushed tomatoes instead.

They have a slightly thicker consistency, but they’ll still provide the rich tomato flavor needed for Jo Mama’s World Famous Spaghetti recipe.

Black Pepper Substitute

In case you don’t have black pepper, you can substitute it with white pepper or even a pinch of cayenne pepper, depending on your preference for heat.

Both of these alternatives will provide the needed hint of spiciness in the sauce.

Garlic cloves Substitute

In the absence of garlic cloves, you can use garlic powder or granulated garlic as a substitute.

Just make sure to adjust the quantity accordingly, as these alternatives are more concentrated.

How to Store Jo Mama’s World Famous Spaghetti

Storing Jo Mama’s World Famous Spaghetti properly can help preserve its taste and quality.

By using the sauce for meal prep, freezing the sauce in gallon freezer bags, and storing it in the freezer, you can extend its shelf life and enjoy delicious spaghetti on demand.

Here, we will discuss these storage methods in detail.

Sauce for Meal Prep

Jo Mama’s spaghetti sauce works well for meal prep, ensuring that you have a delicious, quick meal ready throughout the week.

To store the sauce for meal prep, simply let it cool completely, then transfer it into an airtight container.

The sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To serve, reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave, and combine it with your desired pasta type.

Sauce in Gallon Freezer Bags

One great way to store a large batch of Jo Mama’s spaghetti sauce is to pour it into gallon-sized freezer bags.

This method is ideal if you have limited space in your freezer, as the bags can be flattened and stacked on top of each other.

To do this, let the sauce cool completely before ladling it into the freezer bags.

Squeeze out any excess air, seal the bags tightly, and ensure they are properly labeled with the contents and date.

Sauce in Gallon Freezer Containers

Another option for storing Jo Mama’s spaghetti sauce long-term is to use gallon freezer containers.

These containers provide a more rigid and stable storage solution compared to bags.

Make sure the sauce has cooled completely before transferring it into the container.

Leave some headspace for expansion during freezing, then secure the lid tightly.

Label the container with the contents and date, and place it in the freezer.

Remember that when storing Jo Mama’s World Famous Spaghetti, always ensure the sauce is cooled completely, use airtight containers or bags, and label them with the contents and date.

By following these guidelines, you will have delicious spaghetti sauce on hand for easy, enjoyable meals whenever you like.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overlooking the importance of variety in sauces

When preparing Jo Mama’s World Famous Spaghetti, it’s essential to use a mix of tomato paste, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes.

This combination creates a rich, flavorful sauce with an authentic body that cannot be achieved with jarred sauce alone.

Skimping on the ingredients

Using high-quality ingredients is crucial to make an awesome spaghetti sauce.

Don’t settle for pre-packaged spice mixtures, and choose fresh herbs like basil and parsley.

Also, opt for a coarse ground pepper to enhance the flavor significantly.

Ignoring the role of pepper flakes

In Jo Mama’s famous spaghetti sauce recipe, crushed red pepper flakes play a vital part in giving the sauce a slight kick.

Make sure not to omit them, as they provide a unique depth of flavor to the sauce.