What makes spaghetti worthy of a million dollars? It’s the WHOLE experience. Yes, it starts with the BEST spaghetti sauce ever. But then it’s the secret tips you pair with that spaghetti that ups its value into the million-dollar range.
This post will reveal all of the secret tips for how to create a million-dollar spaghetti experience.
Making million-dollar spaghetti will blow your mind, and you’ll be wondering how you ever survived spaghetti nights before making THIS RECIPE. And FYI, following this recipe isn’t hard AT ALL, but there is an amount of detail and patience needed if you want to achieve the whole million-dollar spaghetti experience.
If you’re in a rush and need to jump straight to the recipe, by all means, do it! But at least skim over the sections for noodle and bread recommendations, wine pairings, and why simmering the sauce is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
As mentioned earlier, creating a million-dollar spaghetti experience definitely includes making the BEST spaghetti sauce you will ever taste. But remember, it’s also about the whole experience. Let’s dive into the super-secret tips that will change the meaning of spaghetti nights FOREVER!
MILLION-DOLLAR SPAGHETTI EXPERIENCE
WHY IS IT CALLED MILLION-DOLLAR SPAGHETTI?
Traditionally Million-Dollar Spaghetti is known as a casserole dish that combines spaghetti and lasagna. It’s important to note this post’s title is MILLION-DOLLAR SPAGHETTI EXPERIENCE because the sauce recipe is worth a million dollars (yes, it’s that delicious), and the secret tips make it a million-dollar experience.
This spaghetti recipe calls for the perfect amount of Italian seasonings and spices that will drive your taste buds to experience spaghetti on a WHOLE NEW LEVEL. The Italian sausage and beef simmered with fresh garlic, mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes will enhance the sauce flavoring even further, making it the BEST spaghetti you will ever taste! I PROMISE.
Now that you understand why this spaghetti sauce recipe is worthy, let’s get into the super-secret tips.
TIP #1: WHY ADD WINE AND SUGAR TO SPAGHETTI SAUCE?
Why on earth would you add sugar to million-dollar spaghetti?! Well, there’s actually a good answer to this question supported by a bit of science. Because tomatoes are highly acidic, it’s important to neutralize their acidity with sugar to make a well-balanced, tasting spaghetti sauce.
This recipe only calls for one tablespoon of sugar, which is not much compared to all the other ingredients, so don’t worry. No one will ever detect the taste of sugar in your sauce. By the way, if you’ve heard fresh tomatoes have less acidity than canned tomatoes, this is true! However, fresh tomatoes still contain too much acid to skip the tablespoon of sugar.
Now, getting to the fun part of the recipe. Adding the RED WINE!
This ingredient is A-MUST when making Million-dollar spaghetti. Red wine gives the sauce a robust richness that enhances its taste and complements the Italian spices. The recipe calls for one cup, and NO, that’s not too much, and NO, it won’t get grandma tipsy if you invite her over for spaghetti night.
Because the wine is simmered with the sauce over a few hours, the alcohol cooks down. There is absolutely no need to worry about serving this sauce to your children or anyone else who shouldn’t be under the influence. It is completely safe as long as you follow the simmering times for this recipe.
TIP #2: THE SPAGHETTI FACTORY
Treat making Million-dollar spaghetti like a well-run factory. That might sound extreme, but the point is, if you follow all of the instructions for this recipe, you can easily create a Million-dollar spaghetti experience.
One of the BIGGEST MISTAKES people make with this recipe is not following the SIMMERING INSTRUCTIONS. It is imperative to simmer the sauce for two to four hours because simmering the sauce builds bold flavors and removes excess moisture from the tomatoes.
Plus, you can’t beat the smell of simmering Million-dollar spaghetti sauce. Make this on a Sunday afternoon when everyone’s home to enjoy the unbelievable smells coming from the kitchen.
TIP #3: CHOOSE YOUR NOODLES WISELY
This section isn’t intended to make you feel like the noodles in your pantry aren’t worthy. But let’s say the RIGHT noodle can absolutely elevate your spaghetti experience. If you’re putting in the time to make Million-dollar spaghetti, why not go the extra step to pair your sauce with noodles that taste homemade.
Hands down, THE BEST NOODLES to pair with Million-dollar spaghetti sauce are fettuccine organic egg pasta nests made by Monte Pollino. While a fettuccine noodle is often served with a creamy sauce, there is an exception. Million-dollar spaghetti is hearty and needs a substantial, yet still, delicate noodle to accompany it. Made in Italy, these noodles are the closest thing to homemade pasta you will find.
Purchase Monte Pollino Fettucine Egg Pasta Nests at Costco.
TIP #4: SPAGHETTI WORKS WITH WINE
Why does spaghetti work with wine? The two have a special way of complimenting each other, but not just any ole bottle will do. The key is finding the right kind of wine to pair with your Million-dollar sauce. Since this recipe is tomato-based, it is best to pair this pasta dish with medium-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chianti, or Zinfandel.
WINE RECOMMENDATIONS For A Million-dollar Spaghetti Experience
Justin Cabernet Sauvignon is a pricier bottle of wine (under $30) but worth every penny and totally enhances the taste of Million-dollar spaghetti sauce. You can buy a bottle of Justin at any grocery store, but Total Wine sells it for $3 cheaper than most places.
Purchase Justin at Total Wine.
Ruffino Chianti Riserva Ducale Tan is perfect for hearty Italian dishes and pizza because it has earthy aromas, good spice, bright acidity with rich textures, and is slightly fruit-forward. This Italian bottle of red (under $20) is sure to create a million-dollar experience.
Purchase Ruffino Chianti at Total Wine.
19 Crimes Red Blend (under $10) is a medium-bodied red wine with bold flavors and strong fruit flavors, making it a delicious red for spaghetti dishes. Purchase this wine at most grocery stores for $10, or buy it at Total Wine for $6.97!
Purchase 19 Crimes Red Blend at Total Wine.
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio is a versatile, dry white wine (under $20) with an intense aroma, perfect for red sauces. If you don’t like red wine, this is a great alternative to pair with Million-dollar spaghetti.
Purchase this Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio at Total Wine.
TIP #5: MILLION-DOLLAR BREAD
The best bread to pair with Million-dollar spaghetti is Focaccia bread! This flat oven-baked Italian bread can be seasoned with olive oil, sea salt, and herbs such as rosemary. It resembles pizza because of its texture and ensures a Million-dollar spaghetti experience.
Don’t forget to serve it with this olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip. Purchase Focaccia Bread at any grocery store in the bakery section. Or try this easy recipe!
TIP #6: HOW LONG DOES SPAGHETTI LAST IN THE FRIDGE?
In general, pasta should only be stored in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. After that, you risk the chance of mold forming. Because this recipe makes a big batch of sauce (serves 8 to 10 people), you can easily store the leftover sauce safely in the freezer and make fresh noodles the day of. Be sure to place plastic wrap tightly over the container twice and then with foil.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON MILLION-DOLLAR SPAGHETTI EXPERIENCE
Making Million-dollar Spaghetti should be a fun experience, and nothing compares to the smell of THIS spaghetti sauce simmering all day long! I hope this article gave you some great tips to plan a Million-dollar spaghetti night that no one will EVER forget. Below is the BEST spaghetti sauce recipe you will ever make!
Leave a comment and let me know how it turned out. Salute!
Million-Dollar Spaghetti Experience
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 8 ounces white mushrooms sliced (1 box)
- 8 ounces bella mushrooms sliced (1 box)
- 1 pound ground beef 85% or 90%
- 1 pound Italian sausage remove skins if using tubes
- 45 ounces tomato sauce (3, 15-ounce cans)
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes (1, 28-ounce can)
- 1 cup red wine Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1 tbsp ground basil leaves or fresh
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes (Omit if you don't want your sauce spicy.)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, saute onions, garlic, and mushrooms with olive oil, 1 tsp of salt, and 1/2 tsp of black pepper. Drain excess liquid and remove mushrooms from the pot, setting them aside.
- In the same pot, brown ground beef and sausage. Add in the remaining 1 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of black pepper. Return mushroom mixture to the pan once the meat is cooked.
- Next, add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, red wine, sugar, thyme, basil, red pepper flakes, and oregano.
- Simmer on low for 2 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Cover the pot with a lid once the sauce thickens.
- Serve the spaghetti sauce warm over pasta, garnished with grated parmesan cheese or basil if desired.
Nutrition
Related Articles:
13 BEST COCKTAIL RECIPES YOU WILL EVER TRY
THE ULTIMATE JALAPENO CHEESE BALL
Both the spaghetti and the bread look so delicious!
Thank you!
Sugar definitely makes spaghetti sauce! That part alone is an amazing trick!
WOW! That looks amazing! Wonderful pairings!
Thank you!
Looks and sounds delicious! Will definitely give it a try! 👍🏻
Thank you!
I learned how to make homemade pasta a few months ago. I will have to give this sauce recipe a shot. I have always put sugar in my sauce.
Thanks!
Looks delicious! I love spaghetti. We make our own sauce from scratch every September, and jar enough for the year. Then, when its time to prepare it, I add whatever I feel like in terms of meat, seasonings and veggies. Yum!
Sounds good!
Spaghetti is a hit in our house, we will definitely be trying this recipe!! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you!
I love a good spaghetti sauce. I know the sugar trick but try to leave it out now – watching my carbs/blood sugar – but this is still a fabulous recipe!
Thank you!
This sounds delicious and I don’t even like spaghetti that much (crazy, right?). I will have to make this for my husband who loves it. I love how you explained some of the reasoning behind adding sugar and wine. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you!
Ooooh Ill have to try this and make the sauce without the beef or sausage. Maybe it will be half a million dollar spaghetti! I can use gluten free pasta too.
Yes, the sauce is soo good you don’t need meat to make it worth a million dollars! ha.