Friday, April 18, 2014

An Old Stand-by

Missy, here. It's been a crazy week--spring break for my daughter, regional tennis tournament, and four college visits. So aside from sandwiches and leftovers, I only cooked ONCE. I made my dad's spaghetti recipe. So I decided to just repost the original recipe that I shared on the blog a year or so ago. It's my go-to meal about every other week. :)  Enjoy!



Papaw's Spaghetti



First, gather your ingredients. My dad usually makes massive amounts and freezes, but I usually cook for 4 to 6. For a crew my size, you'll need 1 pound of ground beef. Two large cans of whole tomatoes (San Marzano are the best!), depending on how tomato-y you like your sauce. And 2 packets of spaghetti seasoning. Chop one half of a green bell pepper. As you can see, I only had a red pepper when I made this, and it was just as good. Also chop about a half a large onion.




Oh, and you'll need garlic. I like to buy the jars of minced or chopped garlic for convenience. The day I made this, I had to get dinner on the table quickly so grabbed the jar.



Heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil, add onions, peppers and garlic. Cook until softened.



Add the ground beef and packets of spaghetti seasoning. I have a handy tool (from Pampered Chef) that I use to break up the beef. You just mash as you twist, and it breaks it up nice and small!



I usually buy lean beef so there's nothing to drain. If you use higher fat meat, drain off the grease. Then add the canned tomatoes and break them up with the same tool. Mash until you have the texture sauce you prefer. (My dad actually puts the tomatoes in the blender, but I don't like the extra dishes to wash. :)) Then let simmer while you cook the spaghetti noodles. Give angel hair pasta a try if you're in a hurry.



Don't forget the garlic bread! Around here, we use old hamburger and hotdog buns to help clean out the pantry. Spray with olive oil (see my nifty refillable sprayer!). Sprinkle with garlic salt and broil until golden.



Voila! A nice, hearty, homey dinner in a pinch.

15 comments:

  1. Missy, I made this after you posted it the last time, and it was so fun, easy, and delicious. AND THEN I FORGOT about it, so I'm glad you re-posted.... and I'm fixing a book this week and next, tight turnaround, and I kept forgetting to come to the cafe so MY BAD.... Because I love being able to relax and chat with youse guys over here and talk about FOOD.... :) And Holy Week, Holy Week is my most favorite week of the year, it's so blessed with thought and provocation and history and poignancy and sadness and joy.... And I know, I just SEE MYSELF falling asleep while Jesus prays because my spirit talks the talk but my human flesh is so stinkin' weak! And then comes glorious Sunday... and I love it!!!!! So thank you for this quick food reminder. Today is fish fry day at Ruthy's, a bunch of family comes by tonight and I fry up a mess of fish in the garage.... and children play and grown-ups eat and talk about all kinds of things, while remembering the ultimate sacrifice.... Wishing you all the blessings of a beautiful Easter weekend.... Mary Virginia, I still use your take from last year with my kids: "Pfft...!!! What tomb?" No rock can hold back our Lord.

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    1. Ruthy, at the time I posted this, I forgot it would be Good Friday when my post went up. See how chaotic my week has been?

      Goodness. I'm USUALLY with you, Ruthy, soaking in every moment of Holy Week. This year is out of the ordinary. (plus, hubby's b-day is today! So we're celebrating tonight.)

      I hope you all have a beautiful Easter weekend.

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  2. Sounds like a fun week, though it was a busy one. I miss having spring break at Easter time. We have ours in the middle of March when the weather is still yucky. Well, this year, I still have snow on my front yard...but it's finally warmer. Happy Easter, Missy -- hope you and your family have a blessed weekend. Like Ruthy, I love Easter...it's alive with hope and we all need a good dose of hope, right?

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    1. March is a yucky spring break month, Kav. I like to have it in early April. But this year it was later. I don't like spring break during Holy Week because we have services at church every day, so we can't go out of town for the break. I like having the weeks back to back. :)

      Happy Easter to you, too, Kav!

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    2. I hate when spring break is this week. It messes up all my fun celebrations of Easter with little ones. :( There's something special and good about teaching them about Jesus, about what they'll be doing in church, about why this happens and that happens... and Passover dinner, with flat bread and bitter herbs and grape juice wine!!!! :) And Missy, I loved college visits. I had so much fun trekking around campuses, learning, meeting people. LOVE IT!!!!

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    3. Oh, guess who forgot to change up her Google account????

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  3. yum! I love that pampered chef thingy!
    fish fry sounds good- my extended family is doing that but I'm down here in Houston and they're 4 hours north :-( was supposed to be of this weekend but am working every single day and night - days today and tomorrow and start night shift early on Easter Sunday then my regular 2 nights. oh well. at least I can leave early today for Good Friday service (experiencing Holy Week at the methodist church for the first time in forever- think we did it once my entire life and that was when I was a kid and don't remember it after that one time) so last night's Maundy Thursday service was an eye opener - I've done foot washing once as a kid but never having it quiet at the end when they strip everything from the sanctuary and carry it out in darkness. can't wait to see waht tongiht's is then wait for Easter's service which should be theh appy one right?!
    well now I'm wanting spaghetti and garlic bread..and it's not quite 8 am..
    Susanna

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    1. Susanna, our church (United Methodist) also does a Maundy Thursday service. A very moving service. But my daughter and I got home from the college visit too late. We would have been walking in about halfway through. I missed singing with the choir, too. :(

      I wish I could invite you over for leftovers! That's what I ate last night. :)

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  4. By the way, I didn't make this recipe exactly as printed. I sprinkled in dried onion bits while cooking the meat. No fresh onions or peppers. And it was still good. :)

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  5. Ruthy, I also meant to say have a fun fish-fry! And good luck finishing up the book.

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  6. SUPPERTIME!!! We just need a sprinkling of cheese on top and a tossed salad.

    :)

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    1. SPRINKLING?? How about dumping? I love parmesan! :)

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  7. I love re-run days. They remind of the good recipes I forgot to print off the last time around!

    We have Good Friday service tonight, so I need a quick supper. This is just the ticket!

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    1. I'm glad, Jan! I'm about to go eat it for leftovers again. I could eat this every day for a week and enjoy it every single time.

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  8. I'm in on the dumping of the Parmesan..... ♥♥♥♥♥

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