By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on January 11, 2024 | Last Updated on January 11, 2024
American beauty spaghetti sauce is a classic Italian-American dish that has become a cherished favorite in many households. This delicious, hearty sauce is made with a combination of tomatoes, herbs, and spices and can be served as part of the main course or as a side dish.
One of the best things about this recipe is that it can be customized to suit any taste! Whether you like it spicy or mild, it can easily be adapted to suit your own preferences. Plus, it’s full of nutrition and can be enjoyed as a part of a balanced diet.
What is American Beauty Spaghetti Sauce?
American Beauty is a pasta brand that was established in 1916 and is available online and in supermarkets located west of the Mississippi.
Its affordable price point makes it popular with families and those on a budget, and its American-made quality sets it apart from more costly Italian brands.
American beauty spaghetti is a good choice when you are searching for a spaghetti item. The sauce is a tomato-based sauce that is commonly used in Italian-American cuisine. It is made with a combination of tomatoes, herbs, and spices that give it a unique flavor and aroma.
This sauce is often served with spaghetti, but it can also be used as a topping for pizza, as a base for lasagna, and as a sauce for other pasta dishes.
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What Does It Taste Like?
American beauty spaghetti sauce has a savory, slightly sweet flavor. The tomatoes provide a bright, acidic note, while the herbs and spices add subtle complexity. The herbs used in the recipe vary, but typically include oregano, basil, garlic, and onion.
The sauce is also usually seasoned with salt, pepper, and sugar. This combination of ingredients creates a delicious, flavorful sauce that will complement any dish.
The Ingredients
- American Beauty Thin Spaghetti: Serves as the base pasta for the dish, providing a classic accompaniment to the sauce, characterized by its durum wheat semolina-based texture, perfect for holding the sauce.
- Grass-Fed Ground Beef: Provides a flavorful and hearty base for the sauce, adding richness and depth of taste.
- Sweet Vidalia Onion: Contributes a mild yet distinct sweetness to the sauce, enhancing its flavor profile.
- Freshly Minced Garlic: Adds a subtle aromatic essence, enhancing the overall flavor of the sauce.
- Vine-Ripened Crushed Tomatoes: Forms the base of the sauce, offering rich and sun-ripened flavors, creating the primary taste foundation.
- Purified Water: Used to balance and meld the flavors of the sauce, ensuring it reaches the desired consistency.
- Italian-Imported Tomato Paste: Provides a concentrated depth of taste, intensifying the tomato flavor and thickening the sauce.
- Freshly Chopped Italian Flat-Leaf Parsley: Adds vibrant color and a hint of freshness, enhancing the visual appeal and adding a subtle herbaceous note.
- Organic Cane Sugar: Delicately balances the acidity of the tomatoes, reducing tartness and providing a smoother flavor profile.
- Dried Basil Leaves: Sourced from an authentic Italian herb blend, infusing the sauce with aromatic and herbaceous notes.
- Himalayan Pink Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the sauce by adding mineral richness.
- Freshly Ground Tellicherry Black Pepper: Adds a subtle spicy kick, balancing the flavors in the sauce.
- Freshly Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese (optional): Offers a nutty and savory finish, adding richness and depth of flavor to the dish when used as a garnish.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare Spaghetti:
Cook the American Beauty Thin Spaghetti according to the package instructions until it reaches the desired al dente texture. Once cooked, drain the spaghetti and set it aside.
Step 2: Cook Ground Beef and Onions:
In a skillet or saucepan over medium heat, cook the finely minced grass-fed ground beef with the finely chopped sweet Vidalia onion. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions turn translucent.
Step 3: Add Garlic and Tomatoes:
- Add the freshly minced garlic to the beef and onion mixture, cooking for about a minute until it becomes fragrant.
- Stir in the vine-ripened crushed tomatoes, purified water, and Italian-imported tomato paste. Mix well to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
Step 4: Season and Simmer:
- Add the freshly chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley, organic cane sugar, dried basil leaves, Himalayan pink salt, and freshly ground Tellicherry black pepper to the sauce. Stir the ingredients to incorporate the seasonings evenly throughout the sauce.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for approximately 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to blend and the sauce to thicken to the desired consistency.
Step 5: Serve:
- Once the sauce has reached the desired consistency and the flavors have melded together, serve it generously over the cooked American Beauty Thin Spaghetti.
- Optionally, garnish each serving with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese to add a nutty and savory finish to the dish.
Tips
Making American beauty spaghetti sauce is easy and can be done in just a few simple steps. Here are some tips to help make the process even smoother:
• Use fresh herbs for best flavor. If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs, but the flavor won’t be as intense.
• To save time, you can use canned tomatoes instead of fresh. Just make sure to drain them well before adding them to the sauce.
• You can adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding more or less water. Start with a small amount and add more as needed.
• If you like a more acidic flavor, you can add a splash of balsamic vinegar or lemon juice.
• Adding a splash of red wine or a tablespoon of tomato paste can help to deepen the flavor of the sauce.
• If you like a spicy sauce, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a teaspoon of hot sauce.
• To make the sauce richer, you can add a tablespoon or two of butter or cream.
Nutrition Information
American beauty spaghetti sauce is a healthy, nutritious dish that can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. One serving (¼ cup) of the sauce contains approximately 262 calories, 5 grams of fat, 8 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of protein. Additionally, it contains a variety of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and potassium.
What to Serve with American Beauty Spaghetti Sauce?
American beauty spaghetti sauce can be served with a variety of dishes. Here are some suggestions:
• Spaghetti – The classic way to enjoy this sauce.
• Ravioli – Use the sauce as a topping for stuffed ravioli.
• Gnocchi – Top boiled gnocchi with the sauce for a delicious Italian dish.
• Lasagna – Use the sauce as a base for a classic lasagna.
• Pizza – Spread the sauce over a pizza crust for a delicious, homemade pizza.
• Zucchini noodles – Top zucchini noodles with the sauce for a lighter version of spaghetti.
• Meatballs – Serve the sauce with meatballs for a hearty, comforting meal.
What Other Substitutes Can I Use in American Beauty Spaghetti Sauce?
There are a variety of ingredients that can be used as substitutes in American beauty spaghetti sauce. Here are some suggestions:
• Olive oil – Canola oil, vegetable oil, or avocado oil can be used instead of olive oil.
• Tomatoes – Canned tomatoes can be used instead of fresh tomatoes.
• Herbs – Dried herbs such as oregano, basil, and thyme can be used instead of fresh herbs.
• Red wine – You can substitute white wine or apple cider vinegar for the red wine.
• Parmesan cheese – You can use Romano cheese or nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
• Water – You can use stock or broth instead of water.
American Beauty Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- Skillet or saucepan
- Cooking pot for boiling spaghetti
- Stirring utensil
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves sourced from an authentic Italian herb blend.
- 1/2 can 3 oz of Italian-imported tomato paste, for a concentrated depth of taste.
- 1/2 lb grass-fed ground beef lean and finely minced for a flavorful base.
- 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt adding mineral richness.
- Garnish with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese if desired, for a nutty, savory finish
- 1/2 tablespoon freshly chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley adding vibrant color and a hint of freshness.
- 1/4 cup sweet Vidalia onion finely chopped for a mild yet distinct taste.
- 1 can 14 oz vine-ripened crushed tomatoes, bursting with rich, sun-ripened flavor.
- 8 oz American Beauty Thin Spaghetti preferably made from durum wheat semolina for a hearty texture.
- 1/2 garlic clove freshly minced (you might need to estimate this) for a subtle aromatic essence.
- 1/2 cup purified water to balance and meld the flavors.
- 1/2 tablespoon organic cane sugar to delicately balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
- A pinch about 1/16 teaspoon of freshly ground Tellicherry black pepper, for a subtle spicy kick.
Instructions
Prepare Spaghetti:
- Cook the American Beauty Thin Spaghetti according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cook Ground Beef and Onions:
- In a skillet or saucepan over medium heat, cook the finely minced grass-fed ground beef with the finely chopped sweet Vidalia onion until the beef is browned and the onions are translucent.
Add Garlic and Tomatoes:
- Add the freshly minced garlic to the beef and onion mixture, and cook for a minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the vine-ripened crushed tomatoes, purified water, and Italian-imported tomato paste. Mix well to combine.
Season and Simmer:
- Add the freshly chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley, organic cane sugar, dried basil leaves, Himalayan pink salt, and freshly ground Tellicherry black pepper to the sauce. Stir to incorporate the seasonings.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
Serve:
- Once the sauce has reached the desired consistency and flavors have melded, serve it over the cooked American Beauty Thin Spaghetti.
- Optionally, garnish each serving with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for a nutty, savory finish.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the best way to store leftover American beauty spaghetti sauce?
A1. Leftover American beauty spaghetti sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat the sauce, place it in a pot over low heat and stir until it is heated through.
Q2. Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes?
A2. Yes, you can use canned tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes. Just make sure to drain them well before adding them to the sauce.
Q3. Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh herbs?
A3. Yes, you can use dried herbs such as oregano, basil, and thyme instead of fresh herbs.
Q4. Can I use white wine instead of red wine?
A4. Yes, you can use white wine or apple cider vinegar instead of red wine.
Q5. Can I use Romano cheese instead of Parmesan cheese?
A5. Yes, you can use Romano cheese or nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
Q6. Can I use stock or broth instead of water?
A6. Yes, you can use stock or broth instead of water.
Q7. Can I freeze American beauty spaghetti sauce?
A7. Yes, you can freeze American beauty spaghetti sauce. Place the sauce in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to three months.
Conclusion
American beauty spaghetti sauce is a delicious, flavorful Italian-American dish that is sure to please any palate. This classic sauce is made with a combination of tomatoes, herbs, and spices and can be customized to suit your own preferences.
Plus, it’s full of nutrition and can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. Making American beauty spaghetti sauce is easy and can be done in
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My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more
