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Rich, meaty and full of flavor, the Mariani family’s spaghetti sauce recipe has been passed down through generations. They shared their recipe so that your family can enjoy this authentic Italian recipe, too.
Lorena Mariani shared this family spaghetti sauce recipe alongsideinstructions for her holiday dried fruit housein a newspaper feature many years ago. The original made enough to feed a small village (or the whole Mariani clan), so we’ve updated portions to feed a small family, but we’ve kept all of the flavors from the Mariani Family tradition.
The secret ingredient in this Spaghetti Sauce recipe is….
Lorena Mariani married into a family of prune growers, so it’s only natural that she uses plump, juicy California Prunes to thicken this meat sauce recipe. Most spaghetti sauce recipes call for a touch of sugar – tomatoes are acidic, so adding sugar creates a more balanced sauce. Adding prunes to this sauce was an ingenious move, it not only sweetens the sauce but also adds depth of flavor – enhancing the meaty deliciousness.
Like every great sauce, there’s some patience required, but the wait is worth it–this spaghetti sauce is meaty, rich in flavor, with just a touch of sweetness from the prunes.Bonus: This recipe freezes beautifully.
Mariani Family’s Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
Lorena Mariani shared this family spaghetti sauce recipe alongsideinstructions for her holiday dried fruit housein a newspaper feature many years ago. The original made enough to feed a small village (or the whole Mariani clan), so we’ve updated portions to feed a small family, but we’ve kept all of the flavors from the Mariani Family tradition.
Like every great sauce, there’s some patience required, but the wait is worth it–this spaghetti sauce is meaty, rich in flavor, with just a touch of sweetness from the prunes.
4.75 from 4 votes
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Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Total Time 2 hours hrs 35 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Entree, Lunch
Cuisine Heritage Recipes, Holiday
Servings 10
Calories 534 kcal
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground chuck beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- ½ lb porcini mushrooms cleaned and sliced
- 4 bunches green onions sliced (use the whole onions)
- 56 ounces cans whole plum tomatoes crushed (2 large cans)
- 1 ½ cups chicken or beef broth
- 4-5 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup chopped Italian parsley plush more for garnish
- 1 ½ tsp chopped fresh oregano
- 1 tsp chopped fresh marjoram
- 1 ½ tsp fresh thyme
- 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp allspice
- ½ tsp ground celery seed
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp grated nutmeg
- 1 tsp fresh-cracked black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 5 ounce bourbon
- ½ cup Riesling or half-sweet white wine
- 8 pitted California prunes
- Fresh-grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
Warm a large skillet over medium heat, then add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking up large pieces. Once the fat from the meat starts to render, use a wooden spoon to stir and continue breaking apart any larger clumps. Add in the mushrooms and scrape the pan. When the meat is mostly browned, stir in the green onions and continue cooking until thoroughly wilted. Drain off most of the grease and set the meat and mushroom mixture aside.
In a large Dutch oven or sauce pot, add the tomatoes with their liquid, chicken or beef broth, minced garlic, parsley, chopped herbs, spices, and bay leaves. Crush the tomatoes to break them apart, then stir in the reserved meat, mushrooms, and cooked onions.
Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Stir in the bourbon, white wine, and prunes, then lower the heat to a low simmer and cook, uncovered, for 2 hours, stirring occasionally and adjusting seasoning to taste.
Video
Notes
Definitely try the Mariani Family’s Ideas for Gingerbread House Decorating with California dried fruits & nuts too!
Nutrition
Calories: 534kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 26gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 99mgSodium: 538mgPotassium: 1040mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1096IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 63mgIron: 4mg
Keyword ground beef, italian sausage, lorena, mariani, spaghetti sauce
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The Mariani family has grown prunes since 1906. For the last four generations, they’ve lovingly tended to their trees and are passionate about educating others about the delicious taste and health benefits of prunes.
More family recipes from California Prunes Growers:
Once you’ve mastered the Mariani family’s spaghetti sauce (or while it’s cooking!) try these recipes from our growers:
Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies
Our Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies are inspired by one of our growers, Matt Bozzo. Matt’s recipe swaps the prune puree for chopped prunes, and opts for dark honey to impart an even richer flavor to these craveworthy cookies.
Old-Fashioned Prune Cake
What’s a prune grower’s favorite way to enjoy prunes? Well, if you ask the Mitchell family, it’s this Old-Fashioned Prune Cake. A soft, prune-studded spice cake is covered in a buttery-sweet glaze that has everyone going back for another slice (or two.)
Old Fashioned Morning Muffins
Prune grower Ranvir Singh has fond memories of his grandmother’s top secret prune + bran muffins. These Old Fashioned Morning Muffins are our take on the Singh family’s recipe.
Columba Pasquale
The Loquaci family shared their recipe for Columba Pasquale, a traditional Italian bread served at Easter time. Bonus: It’s gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy a slice!
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