GREEK SPAGHETTI ΙΝ MEAT SAUCE

Makaronia me kima, or Greek spaghetti in meat sauce, is the ultimate comfort food with a Mediterranean twist. It's rich, flavorful, and infused with fragrant spices, making it a staple of Greek home-cooked meals. Whether you're looking for a hearty family dinner or a dish that embodies the warmth of Greek hospitality, this recipe delivers all you crave in a pasta dish and then some more!!

Jump to:

• Why this recipe works
• The Mediterranean way of eating
• The recipe's history
• Key ingredients
• Meal prepping this recipe
• Substitutions and variations
• How to make Greek spaghetti in meat sauce
• Expert tips
• How to serve Greek spaghetti
• How to serve leftovers
• How to store and freeze
• More Greek pasta recipes
• Recipe
• Comments

Why this recipe works

This recipe blends the simplicity of traditional pasta with the deep, spiced flavors of a Greek meat sauce. It's an ideal dish for those seeking a Mediterranean-inspired meal that's satisfying but not overly heavy.

The secret lies in the slow simmering of the ground beef with cinnamon, bay leaf, and allspice, creating a sauce that's aromatic and irresistibly delicious.

Undeniably, it is a traditional Greek comfort food, passed down through generations, with warm, familiar flavors that evoke a sense of home and heritage.

Made with simple, everyday ingredients like ground beef, onions, garlic, and pasta, this dish is easy to make for a weeknight yet flavorful enough for special occasions like dinner parties and Sunday family get-togethers.

Finally, Makaronia me kima can easily be adapted with variations like beef, pork, or lamb, and can be paired with different pasta types, offering endless possibilities.

The Mediterranean way of eating

This dish embodies the principles of the Mediterranean diet. It focuses on fresh, high-quality ingredients like tomatoes, onions, olive oil, and herbs highlighting the importance of flavor and nutrition. The Mediterranean way of eating emphasizes whole foods, healthy fats, and lean proteins, all of which are present in this recipe.

The recipe's history

Not interested in food history? No problem... Jump to Recipe

The rest of you find out how a simple pasta with meat sauce dish can travel through centuries and different civilizations. Because the history of "makaronia me kima" exemplifies how Greek cuisine evolved by incorporating elements from various cultures and adapting them to local tastes and traditions.

• Italian Influence: Pasta itself was introduced to Greece by Italian merchants and traders during the Venetian rule over parts of Greece from the 13th to the 18th centuries. The Italians introduced various pasta dishes, and the Greeks adapted these recipes to their tastes and ingredients. Greek spaghetti with meat sauce bears resemblance to the Italian ragù, but the addition of warm spices like cinnamon, allspice, and bay leaves distinguishes it from its Italian counterpart.
• Ottoman Influence: During the Ottoman Empire, spices like cinnamon and allspice were commonly used in savory dishes in Greece, including in meat sauces. This influence is evident in this Greek pasta dish, where these spices give a distinctive flavor.
• Adaptation in Greek households: Over time, makaronia me kima became a staple in Greek households, prepared for family meals and special occasions alike. Each family often has its variation of the recipe, sometimes including different combinations of meats and spices.
• Modern Greek Cuisine: Today, this dish is considered a comfort food in Greece and is often served as a simple yet hearty meal, reflecting the Mediterranean diet's focus on fresh ingredients, healthy fats, and balanced flavors.

Key ingredients

The ingredients for this dish are simple to find and most probably already in your pantry and fridge right now:

• Ground beef: The most common choice, though some recipes call for a mixture of beef and pork for extra richness. Lamb is another option, offering a more robust flavor. No matter your choice, the meat adds richness and protein to the final dish.
• Tomatoes: A combination of chopped tomatoes (fresh or canned) and tomato paste provides the sauce’s base. Simmer to allow the flavors to deepen.
• Onion and garlic: Essential for building the depth of flavor.
• Cinnamon, allspice, bay leaves: This combo gives the sauce its signature warmth and complexity. However, if you aren’t familiar with cinnamon in savory dishes, I recommend using ground cinnamon instead of cinnamon sticks. Start with half a teaspoon of cinnamon and add gradually until you find the perfect balance for your taste. I use a big cinnamon stick and it adds a lot of cinnamon flavor which I love. Using ground cinnamon gives you more control over the desired quantity.
• Pasta (spaghetti): Traditional spaghetti serves as the perfect vehicle for soaking up the flavorful sauce.
• Grated cheese: Kefalotyri or Mizithra cheese, grated on top, elevates the flavors and texture of the dish. You can find these in ethnic stores, Greek delis, or supermarkets. Alternatively, Parmesan is an excellent substitute.

Meal prepping this recipe

Makaronia me kima is perfect for meal prepping! Make the meat sauce in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy, simply reheat the sauce, boil fresh pasta, and you’ve got a quick, wholesome meal.

Substitutions and variations

Spices: If you're not a fan of cinnamon or allspice, you can tone down the spices (see notes on the recipe card) or replace them with oregano and/or thyme.

Pasta: While spaghetti is traditional, you can use any pasta—penne, rigatoni, or tagliatelle works great too!

Meat variations: You can swap ground beef for ground pork or make a mix which I find a tastier version.

However, I will always prefer ground lamb which, I know that it is difficult to find. Well, it isn't easy in Greece to purchase ground lamb. For some reason, not every butcher store prepares ground meat for their customers. That's strange.

Furthermore, you can use chicken or turkey for a leaner version​. It will be good but good isn’t the food blog’s mission. It is perfection. So to fully enjoy this recipe I would strongly recommend red meat.

Again, this is a red-meat recipe. I cannot recommend vegetarian versions because that would result in completely different dishes. I've heard about plant-based ground meat but I am not sure I want to know what it is. Some recipes propose mushrooms which sounds yummy but it isn't makaronia me kima. Sorry.

Cheese: If you can’t find mizithra or kefalotyri, parmesan is a good substitute.

How to make Greek spaghetti in meat sauce

Expert tips

Fresh meat: Prefer using fresh, not frozen, ground meat for the best texture and flavor in your dishes. Fresh meat sears and caramelizes more effectively, enhancing the depth of flavor, while frozen meat tends to release excess moisture, resulting in a less desirable texture.

Sautéing: Follow my instructions for sautéing the meat to the letter. That's how you will get the perfect sautéing. If you boil the meat the dish will taste blander and less robust.

Slow simmering is key: The longer you simmer the sauce, the deeper and more complex the flavors will be. Patience, my friends. Good things come to those who wait.

Use fresh spices: Ground cinnamon and cloves lose potency over time, so make sure yours are fresh for the best flavor.

Consistency matters: Make sure your sauce isn’t too watery. It should be thick enough to coat the pasta without drowning it.

Cheese: A must. For an authentic touch, top the dish with grated mizithra or kefalotiri or parmesan cheese, if it is easier to find.

How to serve Greek spaghetti

Serve makaronia me kima hot, topped with a generous amount of grated kefalotiri or mizithra cheese or parmesan.

A simple salad on the side adds a refreshing contrast. For the winter season, a crisp lettuce salad (maroulosalata) and a vibrant cabbage salad (politiki) are ideal. In summer, the all-time favorite Greek salad (horiatiki) and a fragrant black-eyed pea salad are perfect.

Finally, a glass of red wine pairs beautifully with this dish.

In many households, this dish is served for family dinners and special occasions alike. Nevertheless, it is one of the best weeknight dinners because it is an easy and quick meal.

How to serve leftovers

Leftover Greek spaghetti with meat sauce can be just as tasty! No, allow me to rephrase: this dish is even better the following day(s). It is by far my clan’s favorite leftover dish.

Reheat the meat sauce in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen up the sauce. If you want to freshen it up, sprinkle some fresh parsley (optional) and/or top with cheese before serving.

How to store and freeze

Store in the fridge: Transfer any leftover meat sauce to an airtight food container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. I usually store the meat sauce and not pasta because I prefer wasting 6 minutes and making fresh spaghetti.

Freeze the sauce: You can freeze the meat sauce separately for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in a pan.

Reheating: For best results, reheat the sauce in a pan on the stovetop over low heat. Add a little water or broth to restore its consistency and loosen up the sauce.

More Greek pasta recipes

If you love this pasta dish, here are some more delicious Greek pasta recipes from my blog.

Greek Braised Beef (Pastitsada)

Pastitsada is a traditional dish from Corfu, featuring tender beef slow-cooked in a rich onion-based sauce, infused with a unique blend of spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Typically served over pasta, such as bucatini, this hearty and flavorful dish is a comforting staple of Greek cuisine, known for its deep, aromatic flavors and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Traditional Greek Cheese Pasta (Tsouhti)

It is a simple yet flavorful dish from the Peloponnese, made with thick pasta, usually cooked in a rich broth or water, and mixed with generous amounts of local goat or sheep cheese, usually mizithra. The pasta absorbs the savory flavors of the cheese, resulting in a creamy, comforting dish often finished with a drizzle of hot olive oil or butter. Tsouhti is a classic rustic Greek comfort food, perfect for cheese lovers.

Greek Pasta Dish with Garlic (Skordolazana)

This is a rustic and flavorful dish made with layers of homemade pasta (lazana) and a simple, robust garlic sauce. This traditional dish emphasizes the bold flavor of garlic, which is sautéed in olive oil and combined with herbs, often served with grated cheese on top. Skordolazana is a perfect example of minimal ingredients delivering maximum taste in Greek cuisine.

Asparagus Pasta with Feta Cheese

It is a light and flavorful dish that combines tender asparagus with al dente pasta, tossed in olive oil and garlic. The dish is finished with crumbled feta cheese, adding a tangy, creamy contrast to the fresh, earthy asparagus. It's a simple and elegant Mediterranean-inspired pasta, perfect for spring or summer meals.

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