How To Make Spaghetti With Meat Sauce

Many years ago, I had tasted this Spaghetti With Meat Sauce at Hotel Taj Man Singh, New Delhi. Till such time, Italian Cuisine was not that popular albeit a few elite had its knowledge. We, few friends had gone to the hotel and I randomly ordered it from the menu. Since then, I am in love with Spaghetti Pasta in any form. And if one is able to lay hands on the Meat Sauce, then its a jackpot. Last week, I decided to give it a try in my kitchen. Voila !! It came around easily and the result was quite good. If you love Pasta and specially Spaghetti, and love to cook, then this is for you.

This is an easy recipe although may require some patience. However, the result is great. The best part is that the ingredients are mostly available in the home kitchen. If need be, order online or get if from the market. They are easily available. This recipe is not mine. This is a work of some online research and a combination of a few recipes available on the net.

Ingredients ( would render Pasta for two people) :

For Marinara Sauce

• Tomato Puree of 5-6 medium size Tomatoes
• 1 medium size Onion, finely chopped
• 3-4 Garlic Cloves, finely chopped or crushed
• 1/2 Tsp Oregano
• 1 Tbsp Parsley
• 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper Powder
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil (preferably extra virgin)
• Salt To Taste

For Meat Sauce

• 250 gms Mutton Minced Meat, washed.
• 1 medium size Onion, diced in small sizes
• 2 -3 Cloves of Garlic, finely chopped
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 Tsp Cumin Powder
• 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper Powder
• 1 Tsp Sugar
• 4-5 Tbsp Marinara Sauce
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 Cup Water

For Spaghetti Pasta

• 250 gms Spaghetti Pasta
• 1 Tsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 Tsp Salt
• Water for boiling

Cooking

Step 1 (Preparing the Marinara Sauce)

Marinara Sauce is your regular Pasta / Pizza Sauce which you get from the market and smear over the Pizza Base to make pizzas at home or using it for making your Red Sauce Pasta. So, even if the above quantity of ingredients render more sauce, you store it for later use. And, if like me, you get encouraged after what you achieve, make another batch and keep. You would love to use this own creation of yours on your open sandwiches or pizzas/pastas at home.

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In a pan, heat 2 Tbsp Olive Oil and add Chopped Onions. Keep stirring till they are translucent and turn goldish. Should take about 5-6 minutes. Now add the Garlic and keep sautéing. It would quickly start giving out the garlicy aroma.

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Now add the Tomato Puree. Also add 1/2 Tsp Oregano, 1/2 Black Pepper Powder and Salt. Give it a mix and bring it to a boil. Now reduce the flame and let the Sauce simmer for about 15 minutes. Cover the pan and leave a small window to let the steam escape. Keep an eye on it and stir it once or twice during the simmering.

Add 1 Tbsp Parsley, mix and taste for the seasonings. If needed, adjust the Salt and Pepper to your taste.

Your Marinara Sauce is ready !! Keep it aside.

Step 2 (Preparing the Meat Sauce)

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Take a thick bottom pan and heat 1 Tbsp Olive Oil in it. Once the oil is hot, add the washed Mutton Minced Meat. Use the spatula to keep it stirring and frying. Also use some pressure with the spatula to ensure that there are no lumps in the meat mince and its even. It should take around 5-7 minutes for the minced meat to change its colour from pink to pale.

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Now add Chopped Onions, 1/2 Tsp Cumin Powder, 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper Powder and Salt to taste. Mix the entire thing and keep cooking. It should take another 3-4 minutes for the onions to turn soft. At this stage add the Chopped Garlic and keep cooking till the garlicy aroma comes out.

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Now add 4-5 Tbsp of the Marinara Sauce which we had prepared and kept aside. Also add 1 Tsp Sugar followed by 1/2 Cup Water and mix. Lower the flame, cover the pan and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Once done, check for the seasonings and if needed, adjust accordingly.

Your Meat Sauce is ready !! Keep it aside.

Step 3 (Cooking the Spaghetti)

These Spaghetti Pasta packs are easily available in the market. I used half of it, roughly 250 gms.

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In a pan pour sufficient Water, add 1 Tsp Olive Oil, 1/2 Tsp Salt and let it come to a boil. Once the water boils, place the Spaghetti Pasta vertically in the pan and spread it. Gradually it shall slid into the boiling water. Once it is cooked to the desired level (you may want to keep it Al Dante if you want a little bite), drain out the water, run it through the cold water and keep aside. Or simply follow the instructions on the packet.

Pro Tip: While draining out the Boiled Water from the cooked Spaghetti, save aside a cup of that water. That will help in making the consistency of the Meat Sauce a bit loose, if needed.

You are ready to serve your Spaghetti In Meat Sauce !!

Serving Tips:

You could either take a pan and heat some Olive Oil in it, add cooked Spaghetti and the Meat Sauce. Toss it so that the sauce covers the pasta. Serve it with a lavish sprinkling of Parmesan Cheese over it.

Alternatively, seve the cooked Spaghetti Pasta and the Meat Sauce separately in a plate or a bowl. I added a bit of the saved water to the sauce to make it a bit loose.

Try this in your kitchen and you would be happy of what you made. In the meanwhile, stay tuned for more recipes in the space over the coming weeks. Till such time, Stay Safe; Stay Healthy…

Bon Appetit !!

Rajesh Tara

#MagicOfFlavours