It is super simple, it takes some time and the longer you let it cook the better it gets, but it can be made in less than 30 minutes if you are in a rush, but it is best if cooked for 1 1/2 hours. One of the best parts of this recipe is that you can make it in the morning then put it in your crock pot to simmer slowly until you are ready. I do this during baseball season since it makes a great make ahead meal, all I have to do is cook the pasta when we get home and we have a hot yummy dinner.
It does make quite a bit, you could put half in the freezer for the next time you are in the mood for spaghetti or it makes a great sauce for lasagna. For us I turn the second half into baked spaghetti later in the week. It's a great budget friendly meal since you get two for one.
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
makes 10 servings
1 cups diced onion
3 garlic cloves
1 pound hamburger
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
2 8oz can tomato sauce no salt added
1 28oz can crushed tomatoes.
1/2 to 1 1/2 cups water
In a heavy bottom pan or dutch oven combine meat and onion, cook on medium high until the onions start to become soft and the meat is mostly cooked. Then add in the tomato paste, garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook until onions are completely soft, meat is cooked through. Next add in the tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes. Add water to the cans and add that in to the pot too, (good things you don't want to waste) now if you are in a hurry don't add more than 1/2 cup of water. You want your sauce to be thick which is why I cook it so long plus all the flavors really develop over that 1 1/2 hours to really make a great sauce. Stir well to mix everything together bring to simmer then turn down heat to medium-low. Cover pot and let go for 20 minutes then come back and give it a good stir. If it is still looking good put the lid back on and let cook for another 20 minutes then stir again. You might have to adjust your heat, depends on your stove. You want it to simmer but you don't want it to burn or stick. After the second stir put the lid back on but only 3/4 of the way, you want some moisture to escape. Stir every 20 min until desired consistency.
In another pot cook pasta per directions on box. I like to use a rotini noodles, the sauce gets in the curves and twists and is just yummy. This time I used rigatoni because it is what I grabbed in the cupboard. When pasta is done drain and add to the sauce. Give it a good stir and serve.
Top with good Parmesan cheese.
Enjoy!
Looks yummy.
ReplyDeleteI have several good recipes for homemade sauce -One is a secret recipe from my brother-in-law, entitled "Nonnie's Red Sauce" and the other I recently stumbled across when making a Chicken Parmesan Recipe from Martha Stewart Magazine. That one in particular, my husband raved about - as tasting just like a favorite sauce from a favorite Italian restaurant ~ Maggianos. I will tell you that two "secret" ingredients in the Nonnie's sauce, that I now sprinkle into all of my sauces, including storebought ones that I use in a pinch but always spruce up with my own ingredients, are - Nutmeg and Allspice. ;)