Andy Montoya
Spaghetti with minced meat and cheese is a hearty and comforting dish that's perfect for a weeknight dinner. This classic Italian dish combines ground meat, a rich tomato sauce, and melted cheese for a flavourful and satisfying meal. While the traditional recipe calls for ground beef, you can also use other types of ground meat such as turkey, chicken, or pork. The key to a delicious spaghetti dish is in the sauce, which should be thick, aromatic, and seasoned to perfection with herbs and spices. By following a few simple steps and techniques, you can create a restaurant-worthy spaghetti with minced meat and cheese in the comfort of your own home.
How to cook spaghetti with minced meat and cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Pasta | Spaghetti |
| Meat | Ground beef, chicken, turkey, pork, Italian sausage, or any ground meat |
| Cheese | Parmesan, mozzarella, or cream cheese |
| Other Ingredients | Butter, garlic, onion, green pepper, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, tomato sauce, tomato paste, tomato pulp, curry powder, paprika powder, cumin powder, ginger, olive oil, water |
| Cooking Steps | 1. Boil water with salt and oil. 2. Add spaghetti to boiling water. 3. Cook spaghetti until al dente. 4. Fry onions and garlic in butter or oil. 5. Add meat and break it down. 6. Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings. 7. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. 8. Simmer until thick and aromatic. 9. Toss cooked spaghetti with the sauce. 10. Sprinkle with cheese and serve. |
| Storage | Refrigerate meat sauce and noodles separately for up to 3-4 days. Freeze the sauce for up to six months. |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the ingredients
To prepare spaghetti with minced meat and cheese, you'll need to gather the following ingredients: spaghetti, minced meat, olive oil, tomato pulp, curry powder, paprika powder, cumin powder, onion, garlic, ginger, salt, and cheese. You can choose your favourite type of cheese to use, with popular options including mozzarella, parmesan, and cream cheese.
Start by boiling water in a pot to cook the spaghetti. Add salt to the water, following the package directions for the recommended cooking time. Keep in mind that pasta is often perfectly al dente before the recommended cooking time, so set a timer for 1 to 2 minutes less than the suggested time and check your spaghetti. Drain the hot water and run the spaghetti under cold water for a few seconds to stop the cooking process.
While the spaghetti is cooking, prepare the minced meat. Finely chop the onions and garlic. Heat some olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat and add the onions, stirring until they are slightly cooked. Next, add the minced meat and mix well. You can use any type of ground meat you prefer, such as beef, turkey, chicken, or pork. Add the garlic and mix in the spices, including salt, cumin powder, and pepper to taste. If you want a more authentic Italian flavour, you can use Italian seasoning, which includes basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Continue cooking the meat mixture, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned and crumbly, and the vegetables are tender.
To assemble the dish, toss the cooked spaghetti with the meat sauce. You can add a little olive oil to help combine the ingredients. Top the dish with your chosen cheese, and perhaps some parsley, and serve while warm.
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Cooking the spaghetti
To cook spaghetti with minced meat and cheese, follow these steps:
First, cook the spaghetti. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. For every 250-300g of spaghetti, use about 2 litres of water. Add a teaspoon of salt and a dash of olive oil to the water. Then, add the spaghetti to the pot and stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking together. Follow the package directions for cooking time, usually around 10 minutes, or until the spaghetti is al dente. Drain the spaghetti in a colander and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process.
While the spaghetti is cooking, prepare the minced meat sauce. In a separate large skillet or saucepan, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add finely chopped onions and cook until translucent, about 1-2 minutes. Next, add the minced meat to the pan, breaking it up with a spatula or wooden spoon as it cooks. You can use any type of ground meat, such as beef, turkey, chicken, or pork. Continue cooking until the meat is browned and crumbly.
Now, it's time to season the meat. Add chopped or minced garlic, salt, and pepper to taste. You can also add other spices like cumin, oregano, basil, or Italian seasoning. If you want a deeper flavour, try boiling or simmering the ground beef in water before adding it to the sauce, or add some Italian sausage to the mix.
Once the meat is seasoned to your liking, it's time to add the tomatoes. Use a combination of crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste to give your sauce a fresh, hearty, and concentrated tomato flavour. Stir everything well and let the sauce simmer until it thickens and becomes aromatic.
Finally, it's time to combine the spaghetti and sauce. Place the cooked spaghetti into the skillet with the meat sauce and toss to combine. You can also add a ladleful of the starchy pasta water to the sauce to help it cling to the noodles. Cover the skillet and let the spaghetti rest for about 4-5 minutes over medium-low heat, adding more water if needed.
Before serving, taste the dish and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can serve the spaghetti with minced meat as-is, or take it to the next level by adding some shredded or grated cheese. Mozzarella, Parmesan, and cream cheese are all excellent options to sprinkle on top or mix into the pasta. Enjoy your homemade spaghetti with minced meat and cheese!
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Browning the meat
Step 1: Prepare the Meat
Start by choosing your preferred type of minced meat. Ground beef is a popular choice, but you can also use ground turkey, chicken, or pork. Take about 1.5 pounds of meat and place it in a large pot or skillet. You can also crumble the meat with a wooden spoon to create small chunks, which will increase the surface area for browning.
Step 2: Add Seasonings
Before cooking the meat, it's essential to season it generously. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the meat, and you can also add other seasonings like cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning. Mix the seasonings into the meat with a spatula or spoon to ensure even distribution.
Step 3: Cook Over Medium-High Heat
Place the pot or skillet over medium-high heat. You can add a bit of oil to the pan, such as olive oil, if you prefer, but it's not necessary. Cook the meat until it is browned and crumbly, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even browning. Make sure to cook the meat thoroughly until there is no pink meat remaining.
Step 4: Drain Excess Fat (Optional)
Once the meat is browned, you may want to drain off some of the excess fat, especially if you're using a fattier type of meat. You can do this by transferring the cooked meat to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the fat, or you can carefully pour off the fat from the pan, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan to add flavour and moisture to the dish.
Step 5: Combine with Other Ingredients
At this point, you can add other ingredients to the browned meat, such as chopped onions, garlic, and spices, following your preferred spaghetti recipe. Continue cooking over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the spices are fragrant. Then, you can proceed to add your tomato sauce, pasta, and cheese according to your recipe instructions.
Remember, browning the meat properly is key to developing the flavour of your spaghetti dish. Don't rush this step, and feel free to adjust the seasoning to your taste preferences. Enjoy crafting your delicious spaghetti with minced meat and cheese!
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Making the sauce
Firstly, you'll want to brown the meat. Place a large skillet on medium-high heat and add your chosen ground meat. This could be beef, turkey, chicken, or pork. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, crumble the meat into small chunks with a wooden spoon, and cook until lightly browned. You can also add other seasonings at this stage, such as garlic, onion powder, cumin, or Italian seasoning.
Next, add your vegetables. For a classic tomato-based sauce, add diced onions and cook until translucent, then add minced garlic. You can also add other vegetables such as green peppers. If you want to add mushrooms, as some recipes suggest, you can add them at this stage. Stir-fry the vegetables until tender.
Now it's time to add the tomatoes. For a rich tomato flavour, use a combination of crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. You can also add tomato puree or passata for a smoother sauce. Stir everything together and add your chosen herbs and spices. Basil, oregano, and thyme are classic choices for an Italian flavour profile. You can also add a bay leaf, rosemary, or chilli powder for a more complex flavour.
Finally, let the sauce simmer. This will allow the flavours to meld and develop. Simmer the sauce for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, until it has thickened and reduced to your desired consistency. If your sauce is too thin, you can create a slurry with cornstarch and water, and stir it into the sauce to thicken it.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. If it's lacking flavour, try adding a pinch of sugar, a few dashes of fish sauce, mushroom powder, or minced anchovies for a savoury boost.
Now you're ready to combine the sauce with your cooked spaghetti! Toss the pasta and sauce together, making sure the pasta is well-coated. You can also add a small amount of olive oil at this stage to help the sauce cling to the pasta.
Serve the spaghetti with grated or shredded cheese on top. Parmesan, mozzarella, and cream cheese are all popular choices. Enjoy your delicious, cheesy spaghetti!
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Serving with cheese
There are several ways to serve spaghetti with minced meat and cheese. One option is to sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top of the dish. Another option is to layer the spaghetti with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. You can also serve the dish with shredded cheese on the side or sprinkle it on top. If you're looking for a creamy twist, try baked spaghetti with cream cheese.
If you're serving a large group, you can offer a variety of cheeses on the side and let your guests choose their favorite. You can also provide different types of bread, such as garlic bread or roasted garlic bread, and a side salad, such as a Caesar salad or a simple bowl of tossed salad greens with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
When it comes to leftovers, storing your cooked spaghetti and meat sauce separately is recommended. This way, the pasta won't soak up too much liquid and become mushy. Both the meat sauce and cooked spaghetti can be stored in airtight containers in the fridge for up to four days. You can also freeze the sauce and meat combination and make a fresh batch of pasta when you're ready to enjoy your meal again.
Remember, when reheating spaghetti, it's best to do so slowly and gently to avoid overcooking the pasta. You can reheat it in a saucepan over low heat, adding a small amount of water or sauce to prevent it from drying out. Enjoy your cheesy spaghetti with minced meat!
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Frequently asked questions
You can use any type of cheese you like, but classic options include mozzarella, parmesan, and cream cheese.
Start by cooking the minced meat in a pan over medium-high heat with some olive oil. Stir and break up the meat with a spatula or wooden spoon until it is browned and crumbly. Drain the grease if desired.
For a basic tomato sauce, add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste to the cooked meat. You can also add spices like oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer until it thickens.
Cook the spaghetti separately according to the package directions until it is slightly undercooked. Then, add the spaghetti to the meat sauce and mix well. Let it rest for a few minutes so the spaghetti can finish cooking and absorb the flavours of the sauce.
The cooked spaghetti and meat sauce can be stored separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze the sauce and meat combination for longer-term storage.
