Christmas spaghetti

I worked very hard to build good family traditions for my sons after their mom and I split up. But now those sons are in their early 20s; one has his first career job, which requires he work Christmas Day. It’s proving surprisingly challenging to get my whole family together at once this year to enjoy Christmas together. We are in a time of tradition transition, and I admit that I’m not entirely happy about it. I loved the traditions we built. But I do know that this is the natural order of things as children fly the nest.

I’m still giving all of my blogging time to the message I’ll give my church at our Christmas Eve service tonight. So indulge me as I rerun this post from December 22, 2011. This Christmas tradition ended a few years ago when I learned that I’m essentially allergic to garlic and onions. Cutting those foods out of my life has transformed my health.


We started having the big family Christmas gathering at my house when I rented my church’s parsonage after my wife and I split. You’d think that holiday hosting duties wouldn’t fall to the newly single guy, but logistically it just made sense. I was pinching pennies thanks to exorbitant lawyer bills, and that first Christmas was mighty lean. It was so lean that I fed everyone spaghetti for Christmas dinner.

Awaiting pasta

I must admit, I really like my homemade spaghetti sauce. I had perfected it through trial and error when I taught myself to cook in my early 20s in my first apartment.  But I was surprised when my Christmas spaghetti was a huge hit, and even more surprised the next year when everybody asked me to make it again. My mom has asked for it every year since. Now that money isn’t so tight, I make a bigger and more elaborate Christmas meal – but make spaghetti the night before or the night after. Here’s my recipe.

1 lb. bulk Italian sausage
1 stick pepperoni, cut into chunks
Small onion, diced
30 oz. crushed tomatoes or tomato puree
30 oz. diced tomatoes, drained
12 oz. tomato paste
5 cloves garlic, pressed
2 t basil
2 t oregano
1 t salt
1 t pepper

Brown the sausage with the onion and drain the fat. Add the tomatoes, pepperoni, and spices and simmer until the flavors come together, at least an hour.

As you can see, there’s not much to it, but it sure does taste good. I usually serve it with a salad, steamed broccoli, and warm crusty bread.

What unusual Christmas traditions does your family have?

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Comments

12 responses to “Christmas spaghetti”

  1. J P Avatar

    We have transitioned through several, and are now at an age where everyone is an adult with a real job. This will be the second year when both local kids and their romantic interests will be over on Christmas morning for brunch and Mimosas. The Mrs really loves the Mimosas.

    Our eldest comes home on the 26th and we host a larger family gathering either that day or a day or two later.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      A girlfriend my brother had 10 years ago introduced us to Christmas mimosas. It’s a nice tradition! Merry Christmas my friend!

  2. David Avatar
    David

    Isn’t it interesting the track that some traditions are born from? Good for you Jim. Thank you for sharing your journey, heartfelt thoughts, and recipes. Merry Christmas, the spirit of Christ shines through you.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      What a lovely compliment, David — thank you.

  3. Jon Avatar
    Jon

    That’s a nice tradition Jim. As an Italian American, I approve of your sauce recipe.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Oooo! High praise! Thank you.

  4. JoHawkTheWriter Avatar

    Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas. I am sure your Christmas Eve message will be wonderful. ❄🎄❄

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Thank you! Merry Christmas!

  5. bodegabayf2 Avatar

    Happy Holidays Jim and best wishes for an amazing 2020!

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Same to you my friend!

  6. Basil Berchekas Jr Avatar
    Basil Berchekas Jr

    love IT!!!

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      Thank you!!

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