If you would like to see more from their session CLICK to see their personal website. It is so super cute… you don’t want to miss this one.

So this unique Save-the-Date session had Joe’s ‘little guy’ included. He added his sweet smiles and cute dimples to every picture (not to mention those two missing bottom teeth).  He was a great little model. Stay tuned for Joe and Hailey’s official engagement session later this year (coming soon to a blog near you…) Until then I hope you enjoyed this cute mini sesh.

Okay, okay… so maybe I’m not REALLY an italian, but every two weeks or so my family swears that I am when I make my home-made spaghetti. First off, I just want to warn you, that this recipe is nothing ultra special. It is just the plain ol’ spaghetti sauce recipe that I grew up with and learned from my mom (who is obviously is NOT an italian either, even though everyone thinks that we are.) So then, why am I writing this post? Well, lets just say I have a few spaghetti fans out there (Mike and Shelby) who requested this recipe. By my surprise, even my little brother and sister say that I have trumped my mom’s sauce. They actually prefer to eat at my house on “italian” night.

Let’s start off with some ingredients (images below). I purchase (1 jar) of the Classico brand “SPICY” Tomato and Pesto Sauce. (2 cans) Hunts Tomato Sauce. (1 can) Hunts Tomato Paste. (1 packet) Lawry’s Extra Rich and Thick Spaghetti Spices and Seasonings Packet.   To start your spaghetti sauce, please choose your meat of choice (or none if you prefer.) I always use a packet (around a pound) of lean ground beef (hamburger meat). First brown your meat until cooked thoroughly. Follow steps 1 thru 4 below. You do not need any oil, or grease in the pot. The meat should have enough fat within to create some juice to keep it from sticking. If however you choose to use lean turkey meat, you might want to spray the bottom of the pan lightly with some olive oil. *Drain meat in strainer if too greasy, then return to pot. Add your Classico brand “SPICY” Tomato and Pesto Sauce.

Add your (1 can) of Hunts Tomato Paste.*Warning. So I am a pretty big “SPICEY FOOD” fan. I love it and could add tons of cayenne pepper to this sauce, but unfortunately my family always complains that I make it tooooo spicy! This ingredient is completely optional, and something I personally add because I like a little kick. The image below (of the cayenne pepper) is a generous portion. My husband ate it last night and the first words out of his mouth were “well, that was spicy”. So, if you would prefer just a little bit of spice – just use about a teaspoon of cayenne pepper. If you like more – use 2 teaspoons. It is really up to you.

An ingredient that is not optional (in my opinion) is the sugar. Yes, that is sugar below – not salt. I usually use around 2 Tablespoons of sugar in my spaghetti sauce. However, once again, this is all based off of my taste buds. You can give or take with this ingredient. I always say – start out with less, and slowly add more.

Then add your (2 cans) of Hunts Tomato Sauce. 

This ingredient is another super important ingredient. LAWRY’S Extra Thick and Rich Seasonings and Spices found, of course, in the spice isle at the grocery store. Add just one packet (1.42OZ.) There are a lot of really great spices in this packet to give your sauce an amazing flavor. *NOTE: If your sauce gets too thick, just add a little bit of water. Maybe 1/4 cup.Stir, stir, stir, and stir some more….Stir really good to mix everything up, and cook on MEDIUM until you get a slight boil, then immediately turn to a low, low simmer. Cover. Cook for around 30 minutes on low. Make sure you come back and stir your sauce every 5-10 minutes so it doesn’t stick and burn on the bottom of the pot (otherwise you will have black burnt chunks in your sauce. Yes, I have totally done this before!) VOILA! You have the best sauce ever (image below) and the happiest husband in the world.Let’s talk noodles for a minute. So, my mom raised me on regular spaghetti noodles. The are thick, dense, and what you will find on your plate in most italian restaurants. I personally DONT LIKE THIS. I prefer to have Vermicelli noodles (otherwise known as Angel Hair noodles). They are tiny and thin, and oh-so dainty. One more plus? They cook a lot faster. Make sure to bring your water to a RAPID boil before putting in those noodles. Add olive oil to prevent them from sticking, and some salt for taste.  Boil until finished. Drain in a strainer. Make sure you rinse your noodles in hot water. Shake out water (via strainer). 

Enjoy your yummy dish a la marin kristine!!!

Look at that sweet little smile she was giving me (above image). She is already working the camera, you better watch out daddy. She is going to knock em’ dead one day (kinda like your gorgeous wife!)