You already know I had to bring y’all my version of Southern Spaghetti (and yes it's typically the style for a lot of Black folks), the kind that’s rich, well-seasoned, and tastes like it came straight from a Sunday plate. I’m talking ground meat, bold spices, and a thick sauce that clings to every noodle. This isn’t your average quick jar-and-go spaghetti.
After 10 years of sharing soul food and Southern soul food comfort online, I’ve heard from so many of y’all who want spaghetti that tastes like home. Well… this is it. You will love this with my Creamy Southern Coleslaw, Southern Fried Catfish or just go ahead and make my Fish and Spaghetti Recipe.
Table of Contents
Southern Spaghetti Ingredients
- Spaghetti pasta: We’re keeping it classic with spaghetti noodles. Nothing fancy here, just something to soak up all that flavorful sauce.
- Ground beef, turkey, or chicken: You’ve got options here. Ground beef is traditional and gives that rich, meaty flavor. Ground turkey or chicken is a great lighter swap.
- Onions, Garlic, and Green Bell Peppers: Standard for flavor.
- Crushed tomatoes: The base of the sauce. Crushed tomatoes give it body and that slow-cooked flavor. It’s what makes the whole thing saucy.
- Oregano, Italian seasoning, and Cajun (or Creole Seasoning): This trio brings it all together, herbs for that Italian feel and Cajun seasoning to give it that Southern soul.
- Sugar or sweetener: Just a touch! It’s not to make it sweet-sweet, but it helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes and smooths everything out. It’s that Southern touch that makes the sauce taste “right.”
How is Southern Black Folks Spaghetti Different?
- Well-seasoned meat: Ground beef is cooked down with onions, garlic, bell peppers, and seasoned with more than just salt and pepper. I'm talking Cajun or Creole Seasoning, oregano, and Italian seasoning.
- Flavorful sauce: Instead of a plain jar of marinara, the sauce gets doctored up. Crushed tomatoes are used for richness, plus sugar to balance the acidity. Hot sauce or red pepper flakes might get tossed in for a little heat.
- A little sweetness: It’s not unusual for Southern spaghetti to have a little sugar in the sauce. Not enough to make it sweet-sweet, but just enough to balance the tomato’s tang and bring it all together. That touch of sugar is a signature in a lot of Southern kitchens and the soul food spot we frequent.
How to Make Southern Spaghetti
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
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- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti noodles and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain, then set aside.
- Brown the meat: In a large skillet or pot (I use the same Dutch oven I used to cook the pasta) over medium heat, add your ground beef, turkey, or chicken. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté the veggies: Add diced onions, green peppers, and minced garlic to the skillet with the meat. Cook for about 3–4 minutes, or until the veggies are softened and fragrant.
- Season it up: Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir to coat the meat and veggies evenly.
- Add the sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir everything together. Add in the Cajun or Creole Seasoning, more Italian Seasoning, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar (start with 2 teaspoons) to balance out the acidity. Taste and adjust as needed, add more Cajun seasoning if you want a little heat, or more sugar for balance.
- Add the pasta: Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce. Toss everything together until the noodles are coated and the meat is well distributed. If the sauce is too thick, splash in a little water to loosen it up.
- Simmer: Lower the heat to low, place the lid on the pot, and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This gives the flavors time to come together and thicken slightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can absolutely swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. Just make sure to season it well so you still get that rich flavor.
Nope! This version is made with crushed tomatoes and seasoning, so you can build the flavor from scratch. But if you want to start with a jar and doctor it up, that works too.
Let it simmer uncovered so it thickens up. Don’t rush the process. This sauce needs time to come together and get nice and rich.
Absolutely. Some folks mix in shredded cheddar or top it with Parmesan. Do what feels right to you!
Spaghetti is the classic, but you can also use angel hair, linguine, or even elbow macaroni if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
Add red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the sauce while it simmers. You can also use Cajun seasoning for a little Southern heat.
Definitely. It actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to settle in. Just reheat it on the stove with a splash of water or broth.
Yes! Store it in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2–3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Pair With These Recipes
There are so many amazing pairings including Southern Fried Chicken, Fried Green Tomatoes, Southern Macaroni Salad, and Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad.
Southern Spaghetti Recipe (Black People Spaghetti)
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Equipment
Ingredients
Meat
- 8 oz spaghetti pasta
- 1 pound ground beef turkey, or chicken
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped green peppers
- 4 garlic cloves Minced
Spaghetti Sauce
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- ¼ teaspoon ground oregano
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning
- ¼ cup sugar or sweetener
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti noodles and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain, then set aside.8 oz spaghetti pasta
- In a large skillet or pot (I use the same Dutch oven I used to cook the pasta) over medium heat, add your ground beef, turkey, or chicken. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Drain off any excess grease.1 pound ground beef
- Add diced onions, green peppers, and minced garlic to the skillet with the meat. Cook for about 3–4 minutes, or until the veggies are softened and fragrant.½ cup chopped onion, ½ cup chopped green peppers, 4 garlic cloves Minced
- Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir to coat the meat and veggies evenly.1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning, salt and pepper to taste
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir everything together. Add in the Cajun or Creole Seasoning, Italian Seasoning, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar (start with 2 teaspoons) to balance out the acidity. Taste and adjust as needed. Add more Cajun seasoning if you want a little heat, or more sugar for balance.28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, ¼ teaspoon ground oregano, 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning, 1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning, ¼ cup sugar or sweetener, salt and pepper to taste
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce. Toss everything together until the noodles are coated and the meat is well distributed. If the sauce is too thick, splash in a little water to loosen it up.
- Lower the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This gives the flavors time to come together and thicken slightly.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
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