Chicago Style Spaghetti: A Delicious & Authentic Recipe

Chicago Style Spaghetti: Prepare to experience a taste of the Windy City right in your own kitchen! This isn’t your average bowl of pasta; it’s a hearty, flavorful, and deeply satisfying dish that will transport you straight to a cozy Italian-American restaurant on Taylor Street. Imagine twirling your fork around perfectly cooked spaghetti, generously coated in a rich, slow-simmered meat sauce, infused with the subtle sweetness of bell peppers and a hint of oregano.

While Chicago might be more famous for its deep-dish pizza, its unique take on spaghetti has a rich history rooted in the city’s vibrant Italian-American community. Generations of families have perfected their own versions of this classic comfort food, passing down secret ingredients and techniques. This particular style of spaghetti often features a chunkier, more rustic sauce than its counterparts, emphasizing the quality of the meat and the freshness of the vegetables.

People adore Chicago Style Spaghetti for its robust flavor and comforting texture. The combination of tender meat, slightly sweet vegetables, and perfectly al dente pasta creates a symphony of tastes and sensations that is simply irresistible. It’s also a relatively easy dish to prepare, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, this recipe will guide you through each step, ensuring a delicious and authentic Chicago Style Spaghetti experience. So, grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and let’s get cooking!

this Recipe

Ingredients:

• For the Meat Sauce:
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage, removed from casings
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• For the Spaghetti:
• 1 pound spaghetti
• Water for boiling
• Salt for boiling water
• For the Giardiniera:
• 1 cup giardiniera, coarsely chopped (store-bought or homemade)
• For Serving:
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Preparing the Meat Sauce:

Alright, let’s get started on the heart of this dish – the meat sauce! This is where the magic happens, and trust me, the longer it simmers, the better it gets. So, don’t rush this part!

1. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Next, add the minced garlic, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper. Cook for another 3-5 minutes, until the peppers are slightly softened and fragrant. The aroma should be making your kitchen smell amazing right about now!
2. Brown the Meats: Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meats into smaller pieces. Cook, stirring frequently, until the meats are browned all over. Make sure to drain off any excess grease. Nobody wants a greasy sauce!
3. Add the Tomato Base: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Stir well to combine everything. The tomato paste will help thicken the sauce and add a rich, concentrated flavor.
4. Deglaze with Wine (Optional): If you’re using red wine, now’s the time to add it. Pour in the red wine and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This is called deglazing, and it adds a ton of flavor to the sauce. Let the wine simmer for a few minutes to reduce slightly. If you’re not using wine, just skip this step.
5. Add Broth and Seasonings: Pour in the beef broth. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, sugar, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well to combine. The sugar helps to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
6. Simmer, Simmer, Simmer: Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the sauce simmer for at least 1 hour, or even longer if you have the time. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld together and the sauce will thicken. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. I usually let mine simmer for 2-3 hours for the best flavor.
7. Season to Taste: After simmering, taste the sauce and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!

Cooking the Spaghetti:

While the sauce is simmering away, let’s get the spaghetti cooked. This is a pretty straightforward process, but there are a few key things to keep in mind to get perfectly cooked pasta.

1. Boil the Water: Fill a large pot with plenty of water. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
2. Salt the Water: Once the water is boiling, add a generous amount of salt. This is important for seasoning the pasta from the inside out. I usually add about 1-2 tablespoons of salt. It should taste like the sea!
3. Cook the Spaghetti: Add the spaghetti to the boiling water. Stir to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Cook according to the package directions, usually around 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. Al dente means “to the tooth” in Italian, and it means the pasta should be firm but not hard.
4. Drain the Spaghetti: Once the spaghetti is cooked, drain it in a colander. Do not rinse the pasta unless you are not serving it immediately. Rinsing removes the starch that helps the sauce cling to the pasta.

Assembling and Serving:

Now for the best part – putting it all together! This is where we transform the sauce and spaghetti into a delicious Chicago-style masterpiece.

1. Combine Sauce and Spaghetti: Add the drained spaghetti to the pot of meat sauce. Toss well to coat the spaghetti evenly with the sauce. You can also serve the sauce over the spaghetti on individual plates if you prefer.
2. Add the Giardiniera: This is the key to making it Chicago-style! Stir in the chopped giardiniera. The tangy, spicy pickled vegetables add a unique flavor and texture that sets this dish apart.
3. Serve and Garnish: Serve the spaghetti immediately. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes (if desired).

Tips and Variations:

• Homemade Giardiniera: If you’re feeling ambitious, you can make your own giardiniera. There are tons of recipes online. It’s a bit of a project, but the flavor is worth it!
• Meat Variations: Feel free to experiment with different types of meat. Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for the ground beef. You can also add other types of sausage, such as hot Italian sausage or chorizo.
• Vegetarian Option: To make this dish vegetarian, simply omit the meat and add more vegetables, such as mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant. You can also use a vegetarian meat substitute.
• Spice Level: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your liking. If you’re not a fan of spice, you can omit them altogether.
• Slow Cooker Option: You can also make the meat sauce in a slow cooker. Simply brown the meats and sauté the vegetables as directed, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
• Freezing: The meat sauce freezes well. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Enjoy!

There you have it – my take on Chicago-style spaghetti! I hope you enjoy making and eating this dish as much as I do. It’s a hearty, flavorful, and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own. Happy cooking!

Conclusion:

And there you have it! This Chicago Style Spaghetti recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a culinary adventure, a taste of home, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. I truly believe this is a must-try for anyone who loves a hearty, flavorful, and satisfying pasta dish. The combination of the rich, meaty sauce, the perfectly cooked spaghetti, and that delightful hint of sweetness from the brown sugar creates a symphony of flavors that will have you coming back for seconds (and thirds!).

But why is it a must-try? Beyond the incredible taste, it’s the versatility and the story behind it. This isn’t just another spaghetti recipe; it’s a dish with character, a dish that reflects the spirit of Chicago – bold, flavorful, and unforgettable. It’s also surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner cooks. The ingredients are readily available, and the steps are straightforward. You don’t need to be a culinary expert to whip up a batch of this deliciousness.

Serving Suggestions and Variations:

Now, let’s talk about how to make this Chicago Style Spaghetti your own. While the recipe is fantastic as is, there’s always room for a little personalization.

* Serving Suggestions: I love serving this with a side of crusty garlic bread to soak up all that delicious sauce. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette also complements the richness of the spaghetti perfectly. For a truly authentic Chicago experience, consider adding a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and a dollop of ricotta cheese on top.

* Variations: Feel free to experiment with different types of ground meat. Ground beef is the classic choice, but you could also use ground pork, ground turkey, or even a combination of meats. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little extra heat. For a vegetarian option, you can substitute the meat with lentils or crumbled plant-based meat alternatives. You can also add other vegetables to the sauce, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Another fun variation is to add a splash of red wine to the sauce for an even deeper flavor.

* Make it Ahead: This spaghetti is also great for meal prepping! The sauce actually tastes even better the next day, as the flavors have more time to meld together. Simply cook the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, cook the spaghetti and heat up the sauce.

I’m so excited for you to try this recipe and experience the magic of Chicago Style Spaghetti for yourself. It’s a dish that’s sure to become a family favorite.

So, what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get cooking! I promise you won’t be disappointed. And most importantly, don’t forget to have fun in the kitchen!

Once you’ve tried it, I’d absolutely love to hear about your experience. Did you make any variations? What did you think of the flavor? Share your photos and comments in the comments section below. I can’t wait to see your creations and hear your thoughts! Happy cooking!