Greek Spaghetti With Meat Sauce - Makaronia me Kima
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
3 hrs
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Servings
6
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Calories
840 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Greek
Greek Spaghetti With Meat Sauce - Makaronia me Kima
Description
This recipe for Greek Spaghetti With Meat Sauce, known as Makaronia me Kima, starts with browning ground beef for a hearty base. The mixture is then enriched with diced onion, minced garlic, tomato paste, dried oregano, nutmeg, and traditional spices such as bay leaf, cinnamon stick, and cloves, imparting warm and savory notes typical of Greek cuisine. After sautéing, red wine is added and cooked to evaporate alcohol, infusing the sauce with depth.
San Marzano canned tomatoes provide a sweet, balanced tomato component, and a bit of chicken broth or water adjusts consistency. The sauce slowly simmers for two hours to meld the flavors and soften the tomatoes, resulting in a thick, rich ragu-like sauce. Served with spaghetti or pasta of choice, it can be topped with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
The flavor combines savory, sweet, and warm spice elements from the cinnamon and cloves, with a moderate tomato acidity balanced by the sugar (if added). The robust texture and deep aroma are well suited for a substantial main course. It pairs well with a simple salad or rustic bread to complement the sauce.
Substitutions include ground pork or sausage for beef and using fresh grated tomatoes when in season. Selecting authentic canned tomatoes or their equivalents affects the sauce's sweetness. The sauce benefits from a long, slow simmer and occasional stirring and breaking up of tomatoes to ensure a smooth texture. Adjusting salt, pepper, and sugar at the end customizes the taste.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 lb ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 2 garlic minced, cloves
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon oregano dried
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3-4 cloves
- 1½ cup red wine
- 28 oz San Marzano Tomatoes like Gustarosso
- 1 cup chicken broth optional, you can use water instead
- salt sea salt
- black pepper freshly ground
- 16 oz spaghetti or pappardelle, linguine, or your favorite pasta
Instructions
- Add 2–3 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.Add the ground meat. Brown meat all over while breaking up any chunks with a wooden spoon.
- Add the diced onion and garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Stir and add two tablespoons of tomato paste. Stir again and season with sea salt, fresh ground pepper, a teaspoon of nutmeg, and one tablespoon of dried oregano. Add the bay leaf, the cinnamon stick, and three to four cloves. Keep sautéing for two to three minutes and let flavors develop.
- Add the red wine. Increase heat to high and let the alcohol evaporate for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes. Fill one of the tomato cans with water or chicken broth and add it to the sauce. Break up the tomatoes with your spoon. Lower heat and simmer the sauce for 2 hours, occasionally stirring and breaking up the tomatoes.
- Adjust sea salt and pepper to taste. Serve over your favorite pasta with plenty of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground pork or Italian sausage; hot sausage adds heat if desired.
- Using fresh grated tomatoes in summer months creates a fresher flavor; increase quantity accordingly.
- For canned tomatoes other than San Marzano, adding a teaspoon of sugar balances acidity.
- Simmer the sauce for 2 hours, stirring and breaking up tomatoes occasionally for best flavor and texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 840 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 840kcal | 42% |
| Carbohydrates | 72g | 24% |
| Protein | 39g | 78% |
| Fat | 39g | 60% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 19g | 95% |
| Trans Fat | 2g | 100% |
| Cholesterol | 108mg | 36% |
| Sodium | 472mg | 20% |
| Potassium | 1144mg | 24% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
| Vitamin A | 386IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 15mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 121mg | 12% |
| Iron | 7mg | 39% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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