This quick and easy Secret Ingredient Spaghetti Sauce is a homemade spaghetti and meat sauce recipe, made with lean ground beef and canned diced tomatoes has a rich and meaty sauce with a secret ingredient that is delicious, healthy, and economical! You don't need any expensive ingredients to make incredible spaghetti sauce - just what's in your pantry! It's also Weight Watchers friendly.
Spaghetti is one of those meals that's popular all year long! I was inspired to create this sauce from an experience I had many years ago, as a student.
"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.
🍒Reader Review
"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!"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"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:
- 🍒Reader Review
- Top tips: Secret Ingredients to elevate your spaghetti sauce
- 🥘 Ingredient Notes
- Variations & Substitutions
- 🔪How to Make Secret Ingredient Spaghetti Sauce
- Expert Recipe Tips
- 🔢WW Points
- 🥗 What to serve with Secret Ingredient Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
- 👪 Serving Size
- 🌡️Storage
- ❔Recipe FAQ's
- What to do with Leftover Spaghetti Noodles?
- 📋More Pasta Recipes
- 🍝 Secret Ingredient Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
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 25 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?" 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. 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). I believe I've finally achieved the best spaghetti meat sauce recipe!
So, what was the spaghetti sauce secret ingredient all those years ago?!
And the spaghetti sauce secret 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!
Top tips: Secret Ingredients to elevate your spaghetti sauce
- Brown Sugar. Tomato sauce is very acidic and brown sugar is necessary to tone down the 'tart' in the tomatoes and balance the flavors.
- Worcestershire Sauce. It's the Worcestershire sauce that is truly the secret ingredient and gives it a depth of flavor and that ‘ je ne sais quoi’!
- Fresh Herbs. The fresh herbs cilantro, oregano, rosemary, and basil are also critical.
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.
🥘 Ingredient Notes
For this homemade spaghetti sauce, you'll need:
- Brown sugar. Brown sugar balances the tartness of the tomatoes. *This is one of my secret ingredients.
- Canned tomatoes. You don't need special canned tomatoes - I keep it economical and use any brand such as Unico or even No Name. Use whole tomatoes and crust them yourself, for a richer sauce. An easy way to crush them is to open the can and dip your immersion blender right into the can!
- Mushrooms. Using fresh is best! Mushrooms give this spaghetti sauce a great texture.
- Green pepper. Green pepper gives it a nice texture and color.
- Heinz chili sauce. Chili sauce adds a zesty flavor to this spaghetti sauce.
- Worcestershire sauce. Is salty and tangy and balances the tomato, creating a unami flavor that adds depth to the sauce. *This is one of my secret ingredients!
- Fresh herbs (basil, oregano, cilantro, and rosemary). Just like an authentic spaghetti sauce, fresh herbs make all the difference in this sauce.
- Crushed red pepper flakes. Adds a little spice!
*see recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantities
Variations & Substitutions
- Green pepper- you can use a red, yellow, or orange pepper instead or skip the peppers altogether if you're not a fan.
- Tomatoes- you can use fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomatoes. I recommend using Roma tomatoes
- Mushrooms- you can use canned mushrooms as a substitute for fresh mushrooms.
- Herbs - If you don't have access to fresh herbs, dehydrating your own herbs is the next best thing! You can also substitute store-bought dried herbs, but you'll need ½ the amount.
- Chili sauce - you can make your own chili sauce if you don't have any on hand.
- Add-ins - some people like to add a little dry red wine (¼ cup) to their spaghetti
🔪How to Make Secret Ingredient Spaghetti Sauce
- Step 1: In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onions together until ground beef is browned Optional: you can add a tablespoon of olive oil
- Step 2: Meanwhile, add tomatoes, tomato paste, green peppers, mushrooms, garlic, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, herbs and spices together in a large pot.
- Step 3: Stir together can cook on medium while the ground meat is cooking.
- Step 4: When ground beef/onion mixture is browned, drain thoroughly and add to tomato mixture. Simmer on low for approximately 20-30 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 with grated parmesan cheese and fresh oregano or basil, if desired.
Expert Recipe Tips
- Use Whole Tomatoes for a Richer Sauce. If using canned tomatoes, opt for whole peeled tomatoes and crush them by hand for better texture and taste.
- Simmer Low and Slow. If you have the time, simmer longer because the longer the sauce simmers, the richer the flavor. Aim for at least 30 minutes, but longer is even better.
- Add a Parmesan Rind. For extra depth, drop in a Parmesan cheese rind while simmering and remove it before serving.
- Balance Acidity with Sugar. A pinch of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes and enhances the sauce's overall flavor. Brown sugar is best.
- Let the Flavors Marry Overnight. For an even better taste, let the sauce sit in the fridge overnight before reheating and serving.
- Deglaze with Wine or Broth. Deglazing the pan with wine or broth after browning meat helps lift flavorful bits and adds richness to the sauce. Not sure how to deglaze? Check out this Video: How to deglaze a pan
- Don’t Forget a Dash of Worcestershire Sauce. The secret ingredient enhances the umami depth, making the sauce more savory and complex.
🔢WW Points
This recipe is 2 WW points for the sauce. Add additional points, depending on what type of spaghetti noodles you are using.
🥗 What to serve with Secret Ingredient Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
A garden salad and Garlic Bread (shown) Italian Breadsticks are always a great standby to serve with spaghetti, but I also recommend Cloud Bread if you're trying to keep it light. For vegetables, l love this healthy Quick Cucumber Kimchi or a Strawberry Spinach Pecan Salad.
And for dessert.... Chocolate (Genoise)Italian Sponge Cake with berries!
👪 Serving Size
This recipe makes 6 servings. But you can double or triple the recipe by simply clicking on the serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.
🌡️Storage
Store this pasta sauce in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Store spaghetti noodles in a separate container.
It freezes well for up to 3 months.
❔Recipe FAQ's
The secret ingredient in this sauce is Worcestershire sauce! It adds depth of flavor and enhances the umami taste of the dish.
Yes! Simply omit the ground beef and consider adding lentils, mushrooms, or plant-based ground meat for a vegetarian option.
Yes! Adding about ¼ cup of dry red wine enhances the depth of flavor. Just make sure to let it simmer so the alcohol cooks off.
Yes! Brown the ground beef and onions first, then add all the ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
To make it healthier, use lean ground turkey or chicken instead of beef, reduce the brown sugar, and add extra veggies like zucchini or carrots.
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!
What to do with Leftover Spaghetti Noodles?
If you have leftover spaghetti noodles, like I always do, check out these 12 Easy Leftover Spaghetti Noodle Recipes!
📋More Pasta Recipes
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🍝 Secret Ingredient Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
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 diced 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)
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 on low for approximately 20-30 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
-
- Tomato sauce is very acidic and brown sugar is necessary to tone down the 'tart' in the tomatoes and balance the flavors.
-
- It's the Worcestershire that is truly the secret ingredient and gives it a depth of flavor and that ‘ je ne sais quoi’!
-
- The fresh herbs cilantro, oregano, rosemary, and basil are also critical.
- Use Whole Tomatoes for a Richer Sauce. If using canned tomatoes, opt for whole peeled tomatoes and crush them by hand for better texture and taste.
- Simmer Low and Slow. If you have the time, simmer longer because the longer the sauce simmers, the richer the flavor. Aim for at least 30 minutes, but longer is even better.
- Add a Parmesan Rind. For extra depth, drop in a Parmesan cheese rind while simmering and remove it before serving.
- Balance Acidity with Sugar. A pinch of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes and enhances the sauce's overall flavor. Brown sugar is best.
- Let the Flavors Marry Overnight. For an even better taste, let the sauce sit in the fridge overnight before reheating and serving.
- Deglaze with Wine or Broth. Deglazing the pan with wine or broth after browning meat helps lift flavorful bits and adds richness to the sauce. Not sure how to deglaze? Check out this Video: How to deglaze a pan
- Don’t Forget a Dash of Worcestershire Sauce. The secret ingredient enhances the umami depth, making the sauce more savory and complex.
-
- Green pepper- you can use a red, yellow or orange pepper instead or skip the peppers altogether if you're not a fan.
-
- Tomatoes- you can use fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomatoes. I recommend using Roma tomatoes
-
- Mushrooms- you can use canned mushrooms as a substitute for fresh mushrooms.
-
- Herbs - If you don't have access to fresh herbs, dehydrating your own herbs is the next best thing! You can also substitute store-bought dried herbs, but you'll need ½ the amount.
-
- Chili sauce - you can make your own chili sauce if you don't have any on hand.
-
- Add-ins - some people like to add a little dry red wine (¼ cup) to their spaghetti
Marcia bunch
The Secret ingredient is coffeeThe Secret ingredient is coffee
Terri Gilson
Hi Maria,
I've tried coffee and do not feel it's the secret ingredient 🙂 But that's great if you do!
Terri
Bill Roz
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
Terri Gilson
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!
Donna Gomes
Cant wait to try this! I usually just use canned and dont really like it. Thanks so much for this.
Terri Gilson
I hope you enjoy it, Donna!
Dean Harianto
Dash of nutmeg few minutes before finished cooking.
Terri Gilson
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
Martha
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
Terri Gilson
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
jeff
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
Terri Gilson
Thanks so much, Jeff! I'm glad you loved the spaghetti and are enjoying the website 🙂
M bunch
Try coffee
A friend gave me secret ingredient spaghetti sauce Recipe she had and coffee was the ingredient
Terri Gilson
I did try coffee but that didn't do it for me 🙂
Kelly Neil
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!
Sabrina
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 🙂
Terri Gilson
Yes, Sabrina-let’s keep sharing good food with the world!!!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
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!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Katherine!
Leanne
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!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Leanne! I hope you enjoy it!
Bernice Hill
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!
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Bernice 🙂! I have never tried that sauce-obviously I need to!
Joss
Thanks for sharing YOUR secret ingredient! This sounds amazing.
Terri Gilson
You’re welcome, Joss! Let’s keep sharing!!!
Vikki
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
Terri Gilson
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! 🙂
SG
absolutely! i have eaten too many fettucine alfredo dishes that were ruined by some idiot putting nutmeg in it!
Terri Gilson
I have no idea why people do that - nutmeg belongs in pumpkin pie 🙂