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    Home » Recipes » Ingredient » Pasta

    Secret Ingredient Spaghetti Sauce

    Published: Dec 25, 2019 by Terri Gilson · Modified: Aug 11, 2023 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 37 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe
    spaghetti and meat sauce with spaghetti being twirled with a fork and spoon

    "Wow. This is the best spaghetti sauce I've ever had," I said. "Can I get the recipe?"  "Nope. Sorry, but it's a family secret,"  he replied. "There's something in there that really makes the sauce, but I can't quite put my finger on it. What is that?" I asked.

    Spaghetti and meat sauce

    "Yes, that's the secret ingredient," he said. "But like I said, I can't tell you; it's a secret family recipe.

    "C'mon...I won't tell anyone." I pleaded. But he just shook his head and smiled. "OMG- is this guy for real?" was all I could think.

    Jump to:
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔢WW Points
    • 💭 Top tips
    • 🥗 Side dishes
    • 👪 Serving Size
    • 🌡️Storage
    • 💭 Leftover Spaghetti Noodles
    • ⭐ Reviews
    • 🍝 Secret Ingredient Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
    • 📋More Pasta Recipes

    The guy I was trying to get the recipe out of was a fellow student I worked with at my first summer job as a University student over 20 years ago. And that exchange happened during our first group potluck. I spent the remainder of the summer trying to get that secret sauce ingredient out of him.

    Since that time I've eaten a lot of really good spaghetti sauces and an equal amount of bad. But when I eat the good stuff I always make a point to ask: "What's in it?" And fortunately, unlike that guy, the majority of people aren't guarding some ridiculous family secret and will simply just tell you.

    So, I've picked up some really great tips along the way. And in my quest to create the ultimate spaghetti sauce,  I've also done a lot of my own research and tried every crazy concoction out there (including chocolate and HP sauce). And I believe I've finally achieved the best spaghetti meat sauce recipe! And it's Weight Watchers Friendly only 8 WW points on the blue plan!

    So, what was that secret ingredient in the spaghetti sauce all those years ago?!

    🥘 Ingredients

    For this homemade spaghetti sauce, you'll need:

    • extra lean ground beef
    • onion
    • brown sugar
    • mushrooms *you can use fresh or canned
    • green pepper
    • tomato paste
    • canned diced tomatoes
    • minced garlic
    • Heinz chili saue
    • Worcestershire sauce
    • fresh basil
    • fresh oregano
    • fresh cilantro
    • fresh rosemary
    • crushed red pepper flakes
    • see recipe card for quantities
    Spaghetti and meat sauce with spaghetti being twirled on fork with spoon

    And the secret spaghetti sauce ingredient is.... I  honestly don't know. I'm guessing it was Worcestershire sauce but I will never know for sure. Seriously, no matter how I hounded him, I could never get the guy to tell me. I'm not sure what higher purpose he thought he was serving, but he wouldn't cave. And honestly, I stop caring many years ago. But more importantly, I believe I've discovered the secret(s) to an even better sauce!

    Given that my palate has probably developed quite a bit since those Kraft dinner-fueled starving student days anyway, if I were to eat his silly secret spaghetti sauce now, I doubt I'd be very impressed.

    🔢WW Points

    This recipe is 6 WW points for the sauce. Add additional points, depending on what type of spaghetti noodles you are using.

    💭 Top tips

    But what I have learned along the way is that there are a few things you can do to really elevate your spaghetti sauce and that Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar are key ingredients in taking it to that next level.

    Tomato sauce is very acidic and the brown sugar is necessary to tone down the 'tart' in the tomatoes and balance the flavors. But I think it’s the Worcestershire that is truly the secret ingredient and gives it that ‘ je ne sais quoi’!  The herbs cilantro, oregano, rosemary and basil are also critical. And although fresh is best, if you don't have fresh, dried will do too.

    🥗 Side dishes

    • garden salad
    • Everything Bagel Cloud Bread Recipe (WW friendly)
    • Quick Cucumber Kimchi (WW friendly)
    • Bread Machine Italian Breadsticks
    • Spinach Salad
    bread machine Italian breadsticks in a basket

    And for dessert.... Chocolate (Genoise)Italian Sponge Cake with berries!

    Italian Chocolate Sponge cake with summer berries, whipped cream icing and chocolate mousse

    👪 Serving Size

    This recipe makes 6 servings. But you can double or triple the recipe by simply clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.

    Spaghetti and meat sauce in a beige bowl

    🌡️Storage

    Store this spaghetti sauce in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container. It freezes well for up to 3 months. Store spaghetti noodles in a separate container.

    So, if you're looking for a yummy homemade spaghetti sauce from scratch, then give this secret ingredient spaghetti sauce a try! Unlike that guy, I think that delicious recipes are meant to be shared with the world.

    But in a weird way, I'm kind of glad that he never told me what the secret ingredient in the spaghetti sauce was. Because, if he had told me, ` I never would have been motivated to figure it out myself and create this recipe. In fact, if I saw him again, I'd simply thank him for helping to make me become a much better cook!

    💭 Leftover Spaghetti Noodles

    If you have leftover spaghetti noodles, like I always do, check out these 12 Easy Leftover Spaghetti Noodle Recipes!

    a collage of 5 photos of leftover spaghetti noodle recipes, with the first photo having a transparent black background with white text

    And if you are looking for additional pasta recipes, be sure to check out my Pasta Recipes Board on Pinterest!

    pinterest board cover for pasta recipes (see through black with white writing) and picture of pasta in background

    ⭐ Reviews

    Did you make this recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Here's what others are saying:

    "Amazing recipe; delicious! I made marinara last night and the family raved!! Can't wait to try it in meat sauce!!! Great website. Great stories! Thanks for sharing, You upped my game a few notches!"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Spaghetti and meat sauce
    Food Meandering Logo

    🍝 Secret Ingredient Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

    This quick and easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce, made with lean ground beef and canned tomatoes has a rich and meaty sauce with a secret ingredient that is delicious, healthy and economical! It's also Weight Watchers friendly.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner, main dish
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: secret ingredient, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce
    Special Diet: Weight Watchers
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 193kcal
    Author: Terri Gilson
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1.5 lb extra lean ground beef
    • 1 Small onion
    • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
    • ⅔ cup mushrooms, chopped
    • ½ green pepper
    • 1 -5 oz can tomato paste
    • 2 -28 oz cans of canned tomatoes
    • 3 cloves minced garlic * add more or less to your liking
    • ¼ cup Heinz chili sauce
    • ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped basil * can substitute 1 teaspoon dried basil
    • 2 tablespoon fresh, chopped oregano * can substitute 2 teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ tablespoon fresh, chopped cilantro * can substitute 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
    • 2 teaspoon fresh, chopped rosemary * can substitute ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
    • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
    • ½ -340 g -box spaghetti noodles *(½ of a 12 oz box)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Cook ground beef and onions together until ground beef is browned
    • Meanwhile, mix tomatoes, tomato paste, green peppers, mushrooms, garlic, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, herbs and spices together in a large pot and cook over medium heat on stovetop.
    • When ground beef/onion mixture is browned, drain thoroughly and add to tomato mixture.
    • Simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until vegetables are soft.
    • While sauce is cooking, cook spaghetti as per package directions. Drain and serve with desired amount of sauce on top.

    Garnish

    • Garnish with grated parmesan cheese and fresh oregano or basil, if desired.

    Notes

    🔢WW Points
    This recipe is 6 WW points on my personal plan for the sauce. You can click HERE to find out how many WW points this spaghetti and meat sauce is on your plan! Add additional points, depending on what type of spaghetti noodles you are using (based on your plan).
    💭 Top tips
    But what I have learned along the way is that there are a few things you can do to really elevate your spaghetti sauce and that Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar are key ingredients in taking it to that next level. Tomato sauce is very acidic and the brown sugar is necessary to tone down the 'tart' in the tomatoes and balance the flavors. But I think it’s the Worcestershire that is truly the secret ingredient and gives it that ‘ je ne sais quoi’!  The herbs cilantro, oregano, rosemary and basil are also critical. And although fresh is best, if you don't have fresh, dried will do too.
    Terri's Tip: If you don't already do this, add a teaspoon of olive oil to the water when you cook you spaghetti noodles. It helps prevent them from sticking!
    ⭐ REVIEWS
    Did you make this recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!
    Here's what others are saying:
    "Amazing recipe; delicious! I made marinara last night and the family raved!! Can't wait to try it in meat sauce!!! Thanks for sharing, You upped my game a few notches"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
    Please SUBSCRIBE  (get my FREE E-cookbook) and be sure to FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!
    My Amazon Recommendations (affiliate links)

    Nutrition Facts
    🍝 Secret Ingredient Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 193 Calories from Fat 54
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 6g9%
    Saturated Fat 3g19%
    Cholesterol 70mg23%
    Sodium 185mg8%
    Potassium 556mg16%
    Carbohydrates 9g3%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 5g6%
    Protein 25g50%
    Vitamin A 134IU3%
    Vitamin C 9mg11%
    Calcium 40mg4%
    Iron 4mg22%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 193kcal (10%) | Carbohydrates: 9g (3%) | Protein: 25g (50%) | Fat: 6g (9%) | Saturated Fat: 3g (19%) | Cholesterol: 70mg (23%) | Sodium: 185mg (8%) | Potassium: 556mg (16%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 5g (6%) | Vitamin A: 134IU (3%) | Vitamin C: 9mg (11%) | Calcium: 40mg (4%) | Iron: 4mg (22%)
    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!
    Rate this Recipe

    📋More Pasta Recipes

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      Mediterranean Pasta Toss
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Joss

      January 01, 2020 at 11:37 am

      Thanks for sharing YOUR secret ingredient! This sounds amazing.

      Reply
      • Terri Gilson

        January 07, 2020 at 3:55 am

        You’re welcome, Joss! Let’s keep sharing!!!

        Reply
        • Vikki

          October 17, 2022 at 3:14 pm

          The secret ingredient is nutmeg 😉
          Great recipe... just missing a tsp of nutmeg and Worcestershire is the secret to many recipes, just a small amount in spaghetti sauce though, it's overwhelming to the tartness which is trying to be tamed with the sugar.
          Added some of your tips to my repertoire lol

          Reply
          • Terri Gilson

            October 19, 2022 at 6:34 am

            Nooooo! I have PTSD from nutmeg in anything savory. I worked at a restaurant years ago, where the cook was obsessed with putting nutmeg in everything savory. People loved his stuffed potatoes with nutmeg (which I couldn't stand) and he got out of control after that and put it in way too many dishes. I would never put nutmeg in my spaghetti - it belongs in sweet pumpkin things and maybe a tiny bit in pumpkin soup and that's it! 🙂

            Reply
            • SG

              June 29, 2023 at 8:47 pm

              absolutely! i have eaten too many fettucine alfredo dishes that were ruined by some idiot putting nutmeg in it!

            • Terri Gilson

              July 01, 2023 at 7:39 am

              I have no idea why people do that - nutmeg belongs in pumpkin pie 🙂

    2. Bernice Hill

      January 01, 2020 at 8:33 pm

      What a great background story! Honestly, sometimes I just love to eat my spaghetti with really high quality canned San Marzano pomodoro but I bet Worchestershire is a really great addition!

      Reply
      • Terri Gilson

        January 07, 2020 at 3:55 am

        Thanks, Bernice 🙂! I have never tried that sauce-obviously I need to!

        Reply
    3. Leanne

      January 03, 2020 at 7:30 am

      I make spaghetti sauce often and I've never thought to add Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar. I can see how that would combine well with tomatoes. I can't wait to give this a try the next time I make spaghetti! Happy New Year!

      Reply
      • Terri Gilson

        January 03, 2020 at 7:45 am

        Thanks, Leanne! I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    4. Katherine | Love In My Oven

      January 03, 2020 at 10:41 am

      We just had spaghetti with meat sauce last night! We love it so much, and I am always open to trying new ways of cooking it!! I want to dig right into this!! Pinning for sure!

      Reply
      • Terri Gilson

        January 07, 2020 at 3:52 am

        Thanks, Katherine!

        Reply
    5. Sabrina

      January 04, 2020 at 3:06 pm

      So yummy! I love the Worcestershire and brown sugar, it really adds depth and richness. Thanks for sharing your secret ingredient lol, I’m with you, let’s share good recipes 🙂

      Reply
      • Terri Gilson

        January 07, 2020 at 3:54 am

        Yes, Sabrina-let’s keep sharing good food with the world!!!

        Reply
    6. Kelly Neil

      January 13, 2020 at 8:38 am

      I've never understood people who won't share. Like, so what if you make sauce as good as mine? Isn't that the whole point?! I guess on the flip side, you're still thinking about it after all these years. LOL Sauce looks delish! Thanks for sharing YOUR secret!

      Reply
    7. Martha

      September 14, 2020 at 10:43 am

      In searching the web for a special spaghetti sauce with a secret ingredient, I came across yours. Years back we were invited to dinner by friends. We had the most delicious spaghetti I’ve ever tasted. I asked our host for the recipe and he replied “sorry, it’s a family secret”. Uggh! I was so disappointed and could not understand why even after begging he would not give it to me. I have never forgotten that sauce. I cannot wait to try your recipe and see how it matches up. I hope it is better than his so that I too can say it was worth the search

      Reply
      • Terri Gilson

        September 15, 2020 at 4:35 am

        Hi Martha,
        I'm sorry you had the same experience I did. What is it with these people and their silly family secrets, hey?! I really hope you like the sauce!
        Terri

        Reply
      • jeff

        February 24, 2021 at 11:44 am

        Amazing recipe; delicious! I made marinara last night and the family raved!! Can't wait to try it in meat sauce!!! Great website. Great stories. You definitely rock, Terri!

        Thanks for sharing, You upped my game a few notches!

        Jeff

        Reply
        • Terri Gilson

          February 24, 2021 at 12:45 pm

          Thanks so much, Jeff! I'm glad you loved the spaghetti and are enjoying the website 🙂

          Reply
          • M bunch

            December 11, 2021 at 11:24 am

            Try coffee
            A friend gave me secret ingredient spaghetti sauce Recipe she had and coffee was the ingredient

            Reply
            • Terri Gilson

              December 12, 2021 at 12:12 pm

              I did try coffee but that didn't do it for me 🙂

    8. Donna Gomes

      April 20, 2021 at 3:10 am

      Cant wait to try this! I usually just use canned and dont really like it. Thanks so much for this.

      Reply
      • Terri Gilson

        April 20, 2021 at 7:39 pm

        I hope you enjoy it, Donna!

        Reply
        • Dean Harianto

          May 09, 2021 at 8:46 am

          Dash of nutmeg few minutes before finished cooking.

          Reply
          • Terri Gilson

            May 15, 2021 at 11:57 am

            Great idea, Dean! Personally, I don't like nutmeg in savory things (I worked at a restaurant where they overdid it) but I'm sure a lot of other readers would enjoy that!
            Terri

            Reply
    9. Bill Roz

      September 12, 2021 at 2:49 pm

      I was very happy and surprised that you used worcestershire sauce.l have been using it for 20 year in my sauce every time someone new tries my spaghetti sauce they want the recipe they can't believe that I put Worcestershire in the spaghetti sauce and I do believe this is a secret but they think I'm crazy try it you'll love it

      Reply
      • Terri Gilson

        September 12, 2021 at 4:58 pm

        That's so awesome, Bill! It's so great to find a spaghetti sauce kindred spirit! 🙂 I'm sure it was what that guy used in his!

        Reply
    10. Marcia bunch

      October 01, 2021 at 10:47 pm

      The Secret ingredient is coffeeThe Secret ingredient is coffee

      Reply
      • Terri Gilson

        October 02, 2021 at 9:01 am

        Hi Maria,
        I've tried coffee and do not feel it's the secret ingredient 🙂 But that's great if you do!
        Terri

        Reply
    11. Kathy

      November 24, 2021 at 7:54 am

      My moms sauce always had a different taste. It was a dash of cinnamon. Try it for a different flow or in any sauce . I can’t wait to try this sauce .thank you for posting .

      Reply
      • Terri Gilson

        November 25, 2021 at 5:45 am

        Hi Kathy,
        Cinnamon, hey? I never thought of that as a secret ingredients! Well, I hope you like this one - enjoy! Terri

        Reply
    12. Troy

      September 12, 2022 at 1:53 pm

      Not sure on this recipe I guess I leave the tomatoes whole and they cook down I blended everything together for ten minutes then simmered for a half hour and it tastes blan as hell another waste of money I went wrong somewhere

      Reply
      • Terri Gilson

        September 20, 2022 at 6:07 pm

        Hi Troy,
        I'm not sure what happened either? You cooked it for ten minutes or blended it? What did you blend it with? Bland is never a comment I've had about this recipe. I'd like to help you figure out what went wrong too.
        Terri

        Reply
        • DEBRA GARCIA

          May 04, 2023 at 4:59 pm

          This is a great recipe. The only change I made was adding some Italian sausage with the hamburger. This is a keeper for sure!!

          Reply
          • Terri Gilson

            May 05, 2023 at 7:54 pm

            Hi Debra,
            Great addition! I need to try that 🙂
            Glad you enjoyed it!
            Terri

            Reply
    13. Terry

      September 21, 2023 at 12:07 pm

      Terri, What do think is the best mushroom to put in the sauce?
      My recipe is similar to yours but I never thought to use Worcestershire. I always have to use less than is given in most recipes because it seems overpowering to me. But I definitely am going to add it to mine...I'm always up for improvement!
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Terri Gilson

        September 22, 2023 at 8:16 am

        Hi Terry,
        For mushrooms I use button mushrooms or crimini brown mushrooms, generally. However, in a pinch I'll use canned mushrooms 🙂
        Yes, Worcestershire sauce can be overpowering, but there's so little in this recipe that it works!
        I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
        Terri

        Reply

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    I'm Terri, a passionate home cook and baker, an award-winning recipe developer, and a busy working mom who is trying to eat healthy and fit everything into not enough hours in a day! My mission is to share not only my recipes, cooking hacks, and tips with you, but also my secrets to successful weight maintenance.

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