SPAGHETTI MEAT SAUCE

I enjoy Italian food dishes.  One of my favourites is spaghetti.  I personally like meat sauce on my spaghetti however this sauce can be used on your favourite pasta shape.  With the aid of a few "prepared" ingredients this is my recipe.  It is a fairly thick and chunky sauce - which is how I like it. Now let's get to cooking!

The following are the ingredients to make "Mandy's Spaghetti Meat Sauce":

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb ground lean beef
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• dried roasted or fresh garlic cloves, to taste
• 1 stick of celery, finely chopped
• 8 mushrooms, sliced 
• 1/2 small zucchini, chopped into small pieces
• 1 TBSP of Italian Seasoning or to taste 
• 1 can of stewed tomatoes
• 1 small can of tomato sauce
• 1 jar of prepared spaghetti sauce
• Optional:  1/4 - 1/2 cup water

Recipe Yield:  Approximately 6 servings

DIRECTIONS 

1.  In a deep pan and brown ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until cooked. Turn up heat and stir constantly until meat is thoroughly cooked and onions are soft.  Drain excess grease.

2.  Add chopped celery, zucchini and sliced mushrooms until cooked and tender.

3.  Take a brief break from making the sauce and put a large pot of water on to boil and cook 6 servings of spaghetti noodles (or noodles of choice) according to directions on package.

4.  Add Italian Seasoning (to taste) to meat and vegetable mixture.  Pour in 1 can of stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and jar of prepared spaghetti sauce.  Note:  If the sauce is a bit too thick you can and if desired - stir in the water a little bit at a time until desired consistency is reached.

 

5.  Stir together and bring sauce to a boil stirring constantly to avoid burning it.  Remove from heat.

6.  Drain noodles and combine with meat sauce.  Serve immediately.  Pair with a side salad and/or garlic toast.  If desired, top with grated mozzarella or parmesan cheese.

Optional Recipe Variation: To make Baked Spaghetti, place spaghetti in oven and broiler safe dish and smother top with mozzarella cheese and put under broiler for a few minutes until cheese is melted and lightly browned.  Watch it carefully so it does not burn.

Enjoy your Spaghetti feast!