Mom’s Spaghetti
Packed with veggies and healing herbs. A comforting dish that is also good for you.
There are several different types of spaghetti, and this is the way I usually prepare it; however, you can definitely change it up by adding different kinds of meats or even skipping the meat altogether if you prefer!
Personally, I like to use a lean ground beef sourced from a reputable local butcher. It really does make a noticeable difference in both quality and flavor when you opt out of the mega chain stores and invest in a good piece of meat. Plus, you can feel good about knowing the animals had a much better quality of life. I've also experimented with mixing meats before, creating a delicious spaghetti using ground Italian sausage alongside beef for a truly hearty Bolognese-style sauce.
This particular spaghetti sauce recipe is one I have been lovingly preparing for my family for many years now. I always add tons of veggies to my sauce, and the best part is that nobody ever realizes there's any vegetables hidden in there! You can make this process easy by tossing your veggies into a food processor to make them ultra-fine. Once you cook up the sauce, picky eaters will not be able to spot the difference at all! Grating your carrots is an essential step to ensure they cook down into a soft, smooth addition to your sauce.
You may need to season your dish twice: once at the beginning with all your meat and onion (or mushroom and onion if you're choosing to skip the meat) and then again after you've added your tomato sauce.
It's also important to make sure to add your garlic near the end of your cooking process. You definitely don’t want the garlic to burn, as it will perfume the sauce better if it's not cooked down all the way.
When it comes to choosing the tomato sauce, try to find a jar of plain tomato sauce. Look for one with no added sugar and no spices—just pure flavor. Trust me, the taste is completely different from canned tomato sauce or even a jar of those popular brand name options. Many pre-made spaghetti sauces are loaded with sugars and preservatives, so take the extra time to make a good sauce that any nonna would be immensely proud to serve!
If you have access to some fresh herbs, such as parsley, basil, or oregano, take the time to chop them up nicely and add them to your sauce. The incredible flavour bomb that comes from incorporating fresh herbs into your cooking truly elevates your dishes and makes them come together in a delightful way.
Remember to salt your dish at different stages during the cooking process and taste the sauce after it has simmered down for a few minutes. This will help ensure that the flavors are well-balanced and delicious.
Additionally, you can add a lovely dollop of honey to cut through a bit of the acidity and round out the overall flavor profile of the dish, creating a more harmonious and satisfying culinary experience.
I personally don’t add any oil to the water when boiling my pasta, and here's why: If you salt your water heavily enough, it provides all the flavor you need, and draining it off once it's finished cooking is truly all you need to do for optimal results. After draining, just toss the pasta with your sauce right away or add the sauce on top immediately for the best flavor infusion. Keep in mind that the longer the noodles sit without sauce, they will continue to cook further and may start to stick to each other, which can be quite frustrating. Also, if you rinse your pasta after it's cooked, you will inadvertently wash away all the essential starch that helps the sauce adhere beautifully to the noodles.
If you have access to some fresh herbs, such as parsley, basil, or oregano, take the time to chop them up nicely and add them to your sauce. The incredible flavour bomb that comes from incorporating fresh herbs into your cooking truly elevates your dishes and makes them come together in a delightful way.
Remember to salt your dish at different stages during the cooking process and taste the sauce after it has simmered down for a few minutes. This will help ensure that the flavors are well-balanced and delicious.
Additionally, you can add a lovely dollop of honey to cut through a bit of the acidity and round out the overall flavor profile of the dish, creating a more harmonious and satisfying culinary experience.
I personally don’t add any oil to the water when boiling my pasta, and here's why: If you salt your water heavily enough, it provides all the flavor you need, and draining it off once it's finished cooking is truly all you need to do for optimal results. After draining, just toss the pasta with your sauce right away or add the sauce on top immediately for the best flavor infusion. Keep in mind that the longer the noodles sit without sauce, they will continue to cook further and may start to stick to each other, which can be quite frustrating. Also, if you rinse your pasta after it's cooked, you will inadvertently wash away all the essential starch that helps the sauce adhere beautifully to the noodles.
Mom’s Spaghetti Sauce
Ingredients:
1 pack or 3lbs lean ground beef (optional)
6 large brown mushrooms (finely chopped)
1 med onion (finely chopped)
1 lrg carrot (shredded)
2 celery stalks (finely chopped)
2 cloves fresh garlic (finely chopped)
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce (1 large jar)
¼ cup broth (or water)
¼ tsp local honey
1 tbsp Classic Spice Blend
2 tsp oregano
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
pinch sea salt
fresh ground black pepper
2 tbsp oil or fat
Directions:
finely dice onion, mushrooms, celery and garlic and shred carrot
turn pan on med/high to heat
add 2 tbsp avocado oil or tallow to a dutch oven and heat
add mushroom onion spices and cook for 3 min
add celery, carrot, and cook until veggies are soft
deglaze pan with ¼ cup broth (or water)
add fresh garlic and cook for about one minute until fragrant
Add tomatoes and bring to a boil
add in any fresh herbs if you have some (parsley, basil, oregano)
Reduce heat, add honey, cover and simmer for 30-60 min
Boil pasta of choice and serve hot!
Sprinkle with parmesan cheese if desired
