Spirited Spaghetti

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Cook: 30 min.
Yield 6 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
Transform this pizza-flavored pasta sauce into something spooky by adding some black food coloring to the pasta water.—Robert Smith, Las Vegas, Nevada

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
  • 1/2 pound Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed
  • 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
  • 4 cans (8 ounces each) no-salt-added tomato sauce
  • 3 ounces sliced turkey pepperoni
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 9 ounces uncooked whole wheat spaghetti
  • 1/2 teaspoon black paste food coloring, optional
  • 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 12 fresh mozzarella cheese pearls
  • 12 slices pimiento-stuffed olives

Directions

  1. In a large nonstick skillet, cook beef, sausage and onion over medium heat, crumbling meat, until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes; drain.
  2. Stir in next six ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 20-25 minutes. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti according to package directions, adding, if desired, 1/2 teaspoon black paste food coloring to water. Drain pasta.
  3. Top each serving of spaghetti with sauce, Parmesan, two cheese pearls and two olive slices to resemble eyes.
Transform this pizza-flavored pasta sauce into something spooky by adding some black food coloring to the pasta water.—Robert Smith, Las Vegas, Nevada
Recipe Creator

© 2025 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC