It may be a bit contrived, but nothing beats homemade. This goes double for spaghetti sauce in my opinion, and that goes all the way down to the seasoning mix!

Growing up, my dad always made his own spaghetti sauce using canned tomato products and McCormick Thick & Zesty Spaghetti Sauce Mix, and it always tasted great. However, I have found that it can be difficult to find that seasoning packet in the store. (Seriously, never having to search for one of those again is enough reason for me to make my own!) On top of that, I have really come to value the ability to truly customize my cooking, as well as control the source of my spices. This control also means I was able to make it sugar-free. I prefer the taste of sugar-free, but it also fits better into many people’s diet or lifestyle.

Just a heads up, this post contains some affiliate links.

Benefits of Spices

Spices not only add flavor, aroma, and color to our dishes but also offer some nutritional benefits. That being said, they are typically used in small amounts, so their impact on overall nutrition might be limited. Regardless, they are a tasty contribution to your overall health! Here are a few benefits of the key ingredients here:

• Garlic: Contains allicin, which has antimicrobial and immune-boosting properties. Garlic may also help regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Cayenne Pepper: Contains capsaicin, which can boost metabolism and promote weight loss. It may also help reduce appetite and improve digestive health.
• Oregano: Packed with antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds. It may help fight infections, reduce inflammation, and support digestive health.
• Black Pepper: Contains piperine, which can enhance the absorption of certain nutrients in the body. It may also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Salt: An essential mineral that plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions.
• Basil: Contains vitamin K, vitamin A, potassium, and magnesium, plus compounds with potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Parsley: Rich in vitamins C, K, and A, as well as folate and iron. It also contains antioxidants like flavonoids and carotenoids and may support bone health and immune function.

Why Make My Own Spaghetti Sauce Seasoning?

The best answer I have is right there in the title – gifts! I make this for my dad almost every year for Christmas. It’s a great way to encourage home cooking instead of dining out, plus it can be a very thoughtful and personal gift. Personally, I think giving and receiving handmade gifts is so much better than getting something off the reliable Amazon wishlist that I really could have just bought myself. I like to get a pretty jar to put it in, tie a ribbon around it, and maybe even add a handmade label to get even more of a personal touch.

In addition to gifting it, I prefer to make spaghetti sauce seasoning for my own consumption. I like knowing that my spices are high quality and fresh, plus there is less waste associated with this mix than if I bought the packet each time. Both of these things are true because I take reusable containers to the health-food store and buy bulk spices. If that isn’t feasible for you, maybe it won’t be less wasteful, but if you are buying quality spices from the grocery store you at least know what’s going into your spaghetti sauce seasoning mix!

Finally, it is just a simple way to feel more connected to my food. I don’t have tons of extra time to make everything in my life from scratch, but for the cost of about five minutes, I can do this one. Per serving, I bet it’s cheaper, too, although I have never done the math.

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