Jamieson Diaries

Married | Mother | Millennial

All Posts, Dear Diary, Dinner, Recipes

Meatballs from Scratch

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meatballs from scratch

I shared a homemade spaghetti sauce recipe two weeks ago on the blog. Since then a few people have asked me if I ever make meatballs for my homemade sauce instead of breaking the meat up in the sauce. The answer is, yes! I don’t do it often for preference and time purposes in my family. However, there’s nothing like a homemade meatball and spaghetti sauce to hit the Italian comfort food spot. I’m not Italian and don’t claim to make authentic Italian meatballs, but I do make delicious meatballs from scratch that people will love. Read More

All Posts, Dear Diary, Dinner, Recipes

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

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Back to school season is here and parents all over are rejoicing. Well, most parents. I’m one of the thousands of new moms who sent my kindergartener to school for the first time. It’s been over two weeks and I’m still adjusting to my new normal. With that said I’m quickly learning the importance of easy and quick dinner recipes. It seems like the days are flying by and there enough hours in the day. One of my family’s favorite meals is spaghetti. Then again, who doesn’t love a good hearty spaghetti meal? A lot of people think buying the pre-made spaghetti in jars is the only way to enjoy a quick spaghetti meal. But here I’m sharing a flavorful and healthier homemade spaghetti sauce recipe that’ll stop you from ever buying the pre-made stuff again.

One of the reasons I prefer making my own homemade spaghetti sauce is because I can control everything in it. From the amount of salt to the herbs and spices. I consistently make mine using ground turkey for a hearty meat sauce. I crumble my ground turkey in it because it saves time instead of making meatballs. (Be on the lookout for a homemade meatball recipe next week) However, although mine is always made with ground turkey this recipe can be made for vegans and vegetarians. Just eliminate the meat and everything else is perfect for your own homemade spaghetti sauce. 

homemade spaghetti sauce

 

Helpful Tips:

This sauce is the perfect sauce to freeze for future meals. Most of us don’t like cooking every night if we don’t have to so meals that can be frozen ahead of time are ideal. You will also figure out what your favorite seasoning combinations are in your sauce. Some people will prefer to smoked paprika to regular paprika or more Italian seasoning than others. The ingredient list I give you here is the ideal for my family and our own taste. I also give you the basics so you can adjust your homemade spaghetti sauce to your own liking. As I say in most of my recipe posts: add as much spices as you’d like. You only need to go light on your salt and sugar. Everything else is fair game and will keep your meal tasting delicious. Let’s go ahead and get started on this homemade spaghetti sauce!

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
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Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword red sauce, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings 6 people
Author jamiesondiaries

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. Ground Turkey
  • 33.5 oz. Tomato Sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. Tomato Paste
  • 1 Medium Yellow Onion
  • 1 Medium Green Bell Pepper
  • 3 Cloves Garlic
  • 2 Tbsp. Chopped Parsley or 1 Tbsp. dried parsley
  • 1 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning
  • 2 tsp. Paprika
  • 3 Tbsp. Sugar
  • 2 tsp, Onion Powder
  • 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
  • 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Black Pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat a large pot on medium high heat. Add your tablespoon of olive oil to the pot and sauté your diced onions, garlic and green peppers for about 2-3 minutes.

  2. Add your Italian seasoning, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and chopped parsley to the sautéed vegetables. Mix well for another minute or two.

  3. Push your sautéed vegetables to the side and add your ground meat to the center of the pot. Brown and break your meat up into small pieces. (Use a potato masher to make your life easier)

  4. Add your sugar, salt, and pepper to the meat and veggie mixture. Mix together then add your carton on tomato sauce to the mixture. Mix until everything is well combined. 

  5. Turn the heat down to a simmer, cover your pot, and let the sauce cook down for 10-15 minutes. (This will be a great time to cook and drain your pasta) 

  6. Adjust your homemade spaghetti sauce with salt and/or pepper to your desired taste and enjoy! 

 

All Posts, Dear Diary, Health & Fitness, Healthy, Meal Prep, Recipes, Side Dish

Honey Roasted Garlic Brussel Sprouts

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How many of you hated brussel sprouts when you were younger? *raises hand* I’m pretty sure I hated 99% of vegetables as a child. Which is funny considering how much I love 90% of vegetables as an adult. I’m not kidding when I say I made roasted brussel sprouts and mushrooms for a snack the other day. Who am I? Lol. One of my friends posted a status about her love of brussel sprouts a while ago. It dawned on me I haven’t tried brussel sprouts since I was little and I hated them. Her status convinced me to give them another try and I’m so happy I did. These honey roasted garlic brussel sprouts are currently one of my favorite veggie snacks.Read More

All Posts, Dear Diary, Dinner, Lunch, Recipes

Chicken & Grilled Onion Quesadilla

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When we begin a new week we at the very least can look forward to taco Tuesday. Who doesn’t love tacos or an entire day dedicated to said tacos? Exactly. But what if we can extend taco Tuesday leftovers into quesadilla Wednesday or Thursday? (Although any day is quesadilla day.) I know it doesn’t have the same ring to it, but I promise it’s equally as delicious. You will still get all the same delicious ingredients as your tacos but on a larger and cheesier scale. Sounds like a winning situation, right? Read More

All Posts, Dear Diary, Dinner, Healthy, Lunch, Meal Prep, Recipes

Lean Turkey Burgers

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lean turkey burgers

 

Returning from vacation means getting back into the swing of every day life. For me this means meal prepping my food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meal prep is a huge key to me eating better, but making foods that actually taste good is the most important factor. These Lean Turkey Burgers are one of my absolute favorite meal prep recipes. They’re packed with flavor and protein which is exactly what I want and need. Read More

All Posts, Dear Diary, Dinner, Healthy, Lunch, Recipes

Baked Lemon Cod

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Now that it is officially summertime this means my household is enjoying lighter and healthier dinner options. We love fish here at the Jamieson household. Actually, we love seafood in general. This move to the south has been glorious to our stomachs too. One of my favorite go to fish recipes for the girls and I is this Baked Lemon Cod. My husband isn’t much of a cod fan, but that’s ok, more fish for us. Ha!Read More

All Posts, Dear Diary, Dinner, Lunch, Recipes

Pan Seared Salmon

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pan seared salmon

This recipe is a special request for many of my readers. For months I have been asked for the Pan Seared Salmon recipe and I finally got the measurements perfect for all of you. Salmon is one of our favorite protein dishes in our household which means we always find new ways to prepare it. Although this way isn’t particularly “new” it’s a classic that never gets old. 

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All Posts, Dear Diary, Drinks, Recipes

Tropical Mango Refresher

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tropical mango refresher

If you’re like myself and millions of other people around the world you are a fan of Starbucks. Well, at least one item on the Starbucks menu. I wouldn’t consider myself addicted like some people, but there is always one item on the menu drawing me in year round. Fall it’s the Pumpkin Spice latte or Frappuccino. Christmas season it’s the Cremé Brûlée latte or the Egg nog Frappuccino. Spring and summer it’s the Caramel Frappuccino. However, the one drink I love no matter the season is the Mango Drangonfruit Refresher. My sister got me hooked to it a little while back and it’s become one, of if not my absolutely favorite drink, on the Starbucks menu. It is for this reason I decided to create my own spin off of the Mango Dragonfruit Refresher. I used a few more tropical fruits and call it the Tropical Mango Refresher.Read More