This simple spaghetti seasoning mix is the secret ingredient you didn't know you needed to elevate your pasta dinners. My homemade spice blend combines all of the classic herbs and spices that make spaghetti night so memorable. Good for more than spaghetti, you can easily use this DIY herb seasoning blend in your pizzas, sauces, soups, and more!
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Spaghetti seasoning is the seasoning blend you didn't know you needed to keep in your cabinet. It's similar to Italian seasoning, but its combination of ingredients complements a variety of pasta dishes.
I omit salt from this seasoning mix because you can salt each of your dishes individually and to taste. No salt makes this seasoning super versatile because it can be used in already salty or acidic things, such as pasta sauce.
This is my tried and true, made-from-scratch spice blend for spaghetti and other pasta dishes!
🥘 Ingredients
- Garlic Powder - I still often combine this seasoning with some minced garlic in Italian recipes where I want a heavy garlic flavor.
- Onion Powder - 3 tablespoons of dried minced onion can be used in a pinch.
- Dried Oregano - If you're out, here are a few oregano substitutes.
- Dried Basil - Dried basil, but you can always add some fresh basil leaves to your recipe for added 'oomph'.
- Dried Rosemary - Slightly smashed so it disperses better. *See note on recipe card. Or, try one of these rosemary substitutes.
- Dried Thyme - A sprinkle of dried thyme or a thyme alternative.
- Ground Black Pepper - I prefer coarse ground black pepper, but any will do.
- Red Pepper Flakes - More or less depending on how hot you like things.
- Fennel Seeds (optional) - Fennel is a unique flavor often used in Italian dishes like meatballs. I highly recommend adding it, but some people aren't a fan of fennel.
Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!
🔪 How To Make Spaghetti Seasoning
Just mix it all together! I find a whisk is the easiest way.
Mix. In a small bowl combine all ingredients (1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 2 tablespoons dried oregano, 3 tablespoons dried basil, 1 tablespoon dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 2 teaspoons of ground black pepper, red pepper flakes to taste, and 1 pinch of optional fennel seeds if using).
Season or store. Once thoroughly combined, store for later use or use right away.
Crushing your rosemary and/or fennel seeds before mixing is my preferred way to mix up this seasoning blend.
🥗🥘🍲 Best Served With
This seasoning is incredibly tasty when used to season much more than just spaghetti, lasagna, pizza, meatballs, etc. I use it on garlic bread, in soups, and to spice up pasta dishes all the time! Enjoy!
🥡 Storing
Keep spaghetti seasoning in an airtight container in pantry or cupboard for up to 6 months. Shake before using to redistribute all of the ingredients.
Note: Your homemade spice blends can usually be stored for quite some time. However, they will start to lose potency the longer they are stored.
🧂 More DIY Seasoning Blends
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📖 Recipe Card
Spaghetti Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoon dried oregano
- 3 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary (smashed a bit)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoon black pepper
- red pepper flakes (to taste)
- 1 pinch fennel seeds (optional, finely ground)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all ingredients (1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 2 tablespoon dried oregano, 3 tablespoon dried basil, 1 tablespoon dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 2 teaspoon black pepper, red pepper flakes, and optional 1 pinch fennel seeds if using).
- Mix well and store in an airtight container. Use a spice grinder or food processor to break up any larger herbs if desired (before storing).
- When ready to use, shake to re-distribute the ingredients then add some of the seasoning to your pasta sauce as it cooks.
Notes
- Always shake up the seasoning before using it. Heavier herbs and spices tend to settle on the bottom.
- There is no salt in this recipe. Salt the dish to your liking before seasoning.
- To smash the rosemary more easily, toss it in a dry pan over medium heat for just a couple of minutes. This will release the flavor and make it easier to crush.
Sheryl says
If I am using this recipe instead of a spaghetti sauce packet, how much do I use?
Angela Latimer says
This yields a bit over 9 tablespoons of seasoning and you'll need 2-3 tablespoons to equal a store-bought packet. Add more as needed. Thanks for asking!
Wanda Larkins says
How much do you use in a recipe of sauce?
Angela Latimer says
I season to taste, but there's a total of approximately 9 tablespoons of seasoning in 1 batch of this recipe. I would start with 2-3 tablespoons per spaghetti sauce batch.
David says
Love this recipe, though I keep forgetting to order the red pepper flakes. Been substituting with cayenne instead.
Clay Stapleton says
Are these measurements for a quart of sauce? If not a quart, what weight per container ounces of sauce would you be using?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
I would start with 1/2 tablespoon of the spice mix and adjust to taste (that way it's right for you, no matter how much sauce you're making).
Maheli says
This made my spaghetti soooo much flavorful 🤗 highly recommend trying this. And it smells so good too. Thank you!
Sophia, Sam, Irie says
Very good for Healthy cooking class I have, We are doing huge contest.
---- Sophia Mitchell Samuel Goloversic and Irie Dugan, 5th grade Michigan
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Best of luck to you!!
DweezilAZ says
Made this. Will use it tonight.
Thanks
Phasing out expensive packets
Harriot Jones says
The easiest and tastiest way to give flavor to spaghetti!
Izzy says
Almost perfect I added a bit more pepper and salt to balance out the spaghetti flavors but still really good and saved me a trip to the grocery store.
Anonymous says
I ran out of packets and your spaghetti seasoning mix worked like a charm thanks
LA says
How do you know how much of the powder seasoning makes to use to a pound of meat. And how many jars of tomato sauce and tomato paste should I use
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Use the seasoning with this spaghetti recipe. The combined mixture yields approximately 7 tablespoons of spaghetti seasoning and I would start with 1 tablespoon per pound of ground beef, Italian sausage, ground lamb, or a combination of any two of these.