National Spaghetti Day is January 4th, and in 2022, that falls on a Tuesday. Everyone knows that spaghetti is always better the next day, so save time during the week by making it the previous Sunday. Spaghetti is such a versatile dinner to make. It can have different types of meat such as ground pork, sausage, ground beef, meatballs, etc. Or, you could make it meat-free—additionally, spaghetti pairs well with a side salad and garlic bread. Even more, January is, on average, the coldest month of the year, and nothing beats a big piping hot bowl of spaghetti on a cold winter day.
What are the standard supplies needed to make spaghetti?
There are basic supplies you need to celebrate National Spaghetti Day. You most likely already have these items in your pantry.
Garlic
Good spaghetti requires good garlic. Some recipes call for minced garlic, while others use garlic powder. Minced garlic comes in a jar with water, or you can get a jar of dehydrated minced garlic. Over the years, I’ve moved almost exclusively to minced in water. I’ve not yet gone to fresh garlic because I’m still intimidated by the peeling and crushing!
Parmesan Romano Cheese
You can’t celebrate National Spaghetti Day without parmesan cheese. I prefer a parmesan romano blend. 4C premium grated cheese is my go-to brand because it is all-natural with no preservatives.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
If you like a little spiciness to your food, a healthy pinch of crushed red pepper flakes adds some spice to your National Spaghetti Day dinner. The recipe may not list red pepper flakes, but it never hurts to add them in.
Dutch Oven
Every kitchen needs a good Dutch oven, and they make great pots for your national spaghetti day sauce. The enameled cast iron provides superior heat retention and distribution, so they are perfect for all-day simmering.
Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Splatter Screen
Whenever my Grandmother made her spaghetti sauce, she always covered the pot with a splatter screen. Nothing will ruin your National Spaghetti Day celebration than red sauce slattered all over your kitchen. This useful gadget significantly cuts down on the tiny drops of red sauce that end up on your ceiling and stovetop.
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless 4-Piece 12-Quart Pasta/Steamer Set
This family-size 12 Quart Pasta/Steamer set makes cooking and draining pasta easy, including handy measurement markings. What makes this four-piece set special is its versatility. This set includes a deep pasta insert, so you can lift out and drain your cooked pasta all in one fell swoop without needing a colander. Additionally, it includes a steamer basket that sits in the top portion of the pot and allows you to steam broccoli, shrimp, potstickers, and all kinds of healthy, fat-free foods.
Jarred Marinara Sauce
If you want a shortcut to preparing your National Spaghetti Day dinner, the only jarred sauce I recommend is Rao’s. Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce is a premium, slow-cooked, all-purpose Italian pasta sauce. Each jar brings you the warm, classic flavor of homemade tomato sauce.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Every great sauce starts with extra virgin olive oil to saute the onion and garlic. Even if you use a jarred sauce, you should add some onion and garlic fried in this delicious oil. It adds a little extra to your National Spaghetti Day celebration.
So there you have some of the basic items needed to celebrate National Spaghetti Day at home. I like to get my sauce started around 8 in the morning and let it simmer on the stove all day. With each passing hour, the sauce gets reduced, making the flavors and smells more potent.
My favorite Spaghetti Recipes for National Spaghetti Day
Spaghetti is one of the meals I cook at least once a month. I enjoy the process of slow-cooking while the aroma fills the house. Below are some of my go-to recipes to help you celebrate National Spaghetti Day.
Old Fashioned Sicilian Succo
I stumbled across this amazing spaghetti recipe 12 years ago and make it at least four times a year. Succo is Italian for juice. Everyone’s mouths will be watering because of the great smell the fills your home as this sauce slow-simmers all day long. I usually don’t fry the meatballs, instead, I put them directly in the sauce from the start. Cooking the meatballs in the sauce all day gives them and the sauce extra flavor. This sauce is very thick and will slatter, making the splatter screen essential when making this spaghetti.
Baked Spaghetti from Momma Loves Food
Celebrate National Spaghetti Day with this baked spaghetti recipe from Momma Loves Food. It is identical to lasagna without lasagna noodles. Even more, mounds of mozzarella top this dish and gets bubbly and brown during the final stages of baking. It is sure to fill your belly and warm you up on a cold January weeknight.
Marinara Sauce from Gimme Some Oven
This homemade marina sauce is so easy you will never buy jarred sauce again. It is slowly simmered with tomato, basil, and garlic flavors. Marinara sauce is an excellent base for your National Spaghetti Day celebration dinner. Additionally, you can use it for lasagna, meatball subs, baked ziti, and more!
Don’t Forget the Bread on National Spaghetti Day
You can’t celebrate National Spaghetti Day without garlic bread, so here are some good ones to use when making spaghetti.
Garlic Bread from The Carefree Kitchen
Nothing rounds out your National Spaghetti Day celebration more than homemade garlic butter. This recipe from The Carefree Kitchen is creamy, delicious, and perfect for a fresh loaf of French bread. Achieve the most amazing garlic butter flavor for your favorite Italian dish.
Homemade Easy Focaccia Bread from Munaty Cooking
Don’t be intimidated by making homemade bread. This focaccia recipe from Munaty Cooking is so simple yet so flavorful. There are several ways to add additional flavor with simple add-ons. The dough is very sticky but keep kneading. I promise it comes together.
Celebrate National Spaghetti Day by feeding your family one of my favorite recipes. Cooking is one of many ways to tell your family you love and care for them. Spaghetti not only warms the heart, but it will also warm their bodies on a cold winter night. Share your favorite National Spaghetti Day recipes in the comments below.
