This Old-School Spaghetti recipe is a nostalgic, neighborhood staple from Oak Cliff, created from ingredients on hand. It’s hearty, flavorful, and quick to make. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or craving comfort food, this dish is sure to hit the spot!
Ingredients:
- 2 lb ground chuck
- 1 large bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon dried basil (fresh if you have it)
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 8 oz tomato puree
- 1 can (11 oz) shoepeg corn (or any corn you prefer)
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 teaspoons Slap Yo Mama seasoning (or Lawry’s or similar seasoning blend)
Directions:
- Cook the Meat and Vegetables:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground chuck, bell pepper, onion, and minced garlic over medium heat until the meat is browned and the vegetables are tender.
- Season with Slap Yo Mama (or your preferred seasoning) to taste, then drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Cook the Pasta:
- While the meat mixture is cooking, cook the elbow macaroni according to the instructions on the box. Drain and rinse the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent it from sticking.
- Combine the Ingredients:
- In a large pot, combine the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato puree, and shoepeg corn. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Simmer:
- Once the sauce is boiling, add the browned meat and vegetable mixture to the pot. Simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Add the Pasta:
- Stir in the cooked elbow macaroni and let everything simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow the pasta to absorb some of the sauce and flavors.
- Serve:
- Serve hot, and feel free to add Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.
Enjoy:
This Old-School Spaghetti recipe is a hearty, flavorful meal that’s easy to make with simple ingredients. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or satisfying a craving for comfort food.