Dad's Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: dinner, main course
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 medium sized onions, finely chopped
  • 2 ribs celery, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, finely chopped
  • 1½ lbs (675 g) ground meat (the original recipe calls for beef, but my dad always made it with lamb keema and that's what I have used. You could probably use minced chicken as well, if that's what your preference is but cooking time and taste will vary)
  • 1 cup (250 mL) Milk
  • 2 cans (28 oz each) diced tomatoes, with juices (you could also use 1 28oz can of diced tomatoes and 1 14 ounce of tomato paste- thats what I used)
  • ¼ tsp dried hot red chili peppers
  • ½ tsp dried basil
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley ( I used dried and so did my dad)
  • 1 tsp Salt and pepper, or to taste
  • 1 cup of the pasta water (to thin down the sauce, if required)
Instructions
  1. Heat oil in a deep large skillet.
  2. Add the garlic, onions, celery and carrots and cook the vegetables for about 8 minutes, or until tender.
  3. Add in the ground meat and brown, discard excess fat, if any.
  4. Add in the milk. Cook, covered, for 20 min over medium low heat.
  5. Add in the tomatoes with their juices and paste, if using to meat mixture. Add in remaining ingredients. Cook uncovered for 50-60 minutes.
  6. Taste and add seasoning if necessary.
  7. Cook your pasta according to package directions. Drain the noodles, saving about a cup of the pasta water. You might require it to thin the sauce a bit. Use only if required.
  8. Any unused portion will freeze well for later use.
Recipe by The Novice Housewife at https://novicehousewife.com/2013/06/23/dads-spaghetti-with-meat-sauce/