Mr. Mom's Homemade Spaghetti Sauce With a Few Added Touches

Twenty years ago, I met this wonderful Italian man. We started a relationship, and soon we were a couple. Traditionally in his family, it was pasta every Sunday. The type of pasta would change from week to week, but one constant was the sauce. My husband loved to cook. However, he felt I needed to learn how to make homemade spaghetti sauce. Don't get the wrong idea, I could cook, and many things homemade. However, one of those was not spaghetti sauce. Homemade spaghetti sauce...there's nothing like it! The days of Ragu and Prego were gone!

My husband retired when our son was two. While our son was growing up, this was his favorite meal. Johnny didn't refer to it as pasta, it was known as 'pastie'. In fact, John(Mr. Mom) loved to cook so much he had the habit of asking Johnny what he wanted to eat. This made for one spoiled little boy, who thought he had his very own restaurant at home. He had his daddy wrapped around his finger, and he usually got what he wanted...........and it was 'pastie' and many other favorite Italian foods!

Even though John showed me how to make his spaghetti sauce, I've since changed it to make it my own. The best part, when I cooked spaghetti sauce, was hearing him say mine was better than his. It was the ultimate accomplishment!

1-15 ounce can of Hunts Tomato Sauce

2-6 ounce cans of Hunts Tomato Paste

3 tablespoons of vinegar peppers (John used hot vinegar peppers. I used sweet vinegar peppers.)

3 Tablespoons of juice from the vinegar peppers

1 Medium onion (Vidalia preferably)

12 to 14 slices of pepperoni (John always added pepperoni. I on the other hand made it optional)

Italian seasoning (my added touch)

Garlic powder

Salt

Pepper (I used to use black pepper, now I use white pepper.)

¼ to ½ cup of sugar (depends on how sweet you like your sauce.

In large pot, slice or chop the medium onion. Now add the vinegar peppers, and the juice from the peppers. Next, add in 1 cup of water and let simmer. If using pepperoni add, and let simmer with the other items (medium low heat-electric setting is usually 4 or 5). While this is simmering, I usually add in approximately 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. This mixture needs to simmer for approximately 20 minutes.

Now add the tomato paste, tomato sauce, and 3 to 4 cups of water. The amount of water depends on how thick you like your sauce. Next, add in salt, pepper, garlic powder, 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning (add more if you prefer), and ¼ cup of sugar. Stir and taste. I usually taste to see if it needs more salt, Italian seasoning, garlic, or sugar. Add additional seasonings until you reach your desired taste. Once you accomplished your acquired taste, let sauce simmer for approximately one hour. Stir sauce frequently, so it will not stick to bottom of pot.

If you want a meat sauce, brown a pound of ground beef, and add to the sauce, while it is simmering.

One of my husband's favorite meals was to cook chicken legs in the sauce. The sauce cooks into the chicken, and gives it a delicious flavor!

I hope you enjoy as much as Johnny!