The Secret to Black Folks’ Spaghetti....

For the longest, I was making spaghetti all wrong. No matter how much I tried, it never tasted like my auntie’s or my grandma’s back in Oakland. Their spaghetti had a flavor that hit your soul—savory, a little sweet, and full of love. Mine? It just wasn’t giving.

So, I did what anyone does when they’re craving comfort food the way they grew up on it—I called my family and asked for the real recipe. And let me tell you, there is a difference. Black folks’ spaghetti has its own flavor profile, and the secret is in a few simple ingredients: ketchup, sugar, and green bell pepper.

Once I added those in, everything changed. It was finally the taste I remembered from childhood dinners in Oakland. Now, my family loves it, and it’s become a go-to recipe in my kitchen.

Here’s how I make it 👇🏾 (link to my video HERE)

Black Folks’ Spaghetti Recipe

Servings: 6Prep Time: 15 minutesCook Time: 30 minutesTotal Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 ½ lbs lean ground beef

• ½ green bell pepper, diced

• ¼ cup chopped onion

• 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic (or chopped)

• 1 jar Whole Foods Organic Marinara Sauce (or your favorite)

• 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar

• 2 teaspoons ketchup

• ½ cup mushrooms (optional; or sub with sausage for a chunkier feel)

• 1 box regular spaghetti noodles

• 1–2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 teaspoon parsley flakes

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta

   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

   • Cook spaghetti noodles until al dente (follow package directions).

   • Drain, then toss noodles with olive oil and sprinkle with parsley flakes. Set aside.

2. Make the sauce base

   • In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned.

   • Drain any excess grease.

3. Add the aromatics

   • Add in diced bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Sauté until softened and fragrant (about 5 minutes).

4. Flavor it up

   • Pour in the marinara sauce.

   • Stir in brown sugar and ketchup—this is the secret combo that gives it that signature taste.

   • Add mushrooms (or sausage, if using).

   • Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Simmer

   • Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15–20 minutes so the flavors come together.

6. Bring it all together

   • Pour the sauce over the noodles and toss lightly.

   • Serve hot, with extra parsley or grated parmesan if you’d like.

Tips & Tricks

• If you want your sauce thicker, let it simmer uncovered a bit longer.

• For a little heat, add crushed red pepper flakes.

• Leftovers taste even better the next day—perfect for meal prep.

Final Thoughts

For me, this recipe is more than just spaghetti—it’s family. It’s Oakland. It’s remembering the way my grandma used to feed us on Sundays and how the kitchen always smelled like love. ✨

So if your spaghetti has ever felt like it was missing something, try this version. You’ll see why there’s a difference. And if you’ve got your own hacks for Black folks’ spaghetti, drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear them!