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A palte with Greek spaghetti in eat sauce topped with parsley.

Greek Spaghetti in Meat Sauce

Sylia
Greek spaghetti in meat sauce is a comforting and hearty dish. The sauce is made from ground beef or lamb, simmered with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a blend of warm spices like cinnamon and allspice, giving it a uniquely Greek flavor. Often garnished with grated cheese, this dish is a beloved staple in Greek households, known for its savory depth and satisfying taste.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
0 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek, Mediterranean
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound (500g) ground beef*1
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cinnamon stick or ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon*2
  • 3 allspice berries or slightly less than ½ teaspoon ground
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 (14.5-oz) (400g) canned tomatoes or 5 fresh tomatoes, chopped
  • A pinch of sugar
  • 1 pound (500g) spaghetti
  • 2 cups (500ml) water or broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for coating the pasta)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Kefalotiri or mizithra or Parmesan, grated

Instructions
 

  • Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over high heat until hot. Use your hands or a fork to break the ground meat into large chunks and add it to the saucepan. Sear for 3-4 minutes. Use the fork to flip the pieces and brown for 2 more minutes. Transfer the meat to a big bowl or plate and set aside.
  • Pour the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil into the same saucepan until hot. Add the onion and the garlic until fragrant. In the last 2 minutes, add the cinnamon stick, bay leaf, allspice, and pepper.
  • Return the meat to the pan, and use the fork to break it up. Stir until all the ingredients are well combined.
  • Make a small well (nest) in the center of the saucepan and stir in the tomato paste. Sauté for 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the tomatoes, sugar, salt and pepper to taste. Stir well and pour in water or broth. Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low-medium and simmer for 30 minutes.
  • In the last 10 minutes, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions, drain, and toss with olive oil. (Don't forget to salt the water well)
  • When ready, fish out the cinnamon stick (if used), the bay leaves, and allspice berries (optional, don't worry if you cannot find them) and set the saucepan aside.
  • Place a layer of grated cheese (kefalotiri or mizithra or parmesan) on a plate, followed by a portion of pasta. Add more cheese, another layer of pasta, and spoon over the meat sauce. Top with more grated cheese, if you like.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

  1. Ground beef is 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. Whatever you choose, I recommend using fresh meat over frozen. 
  2. If you aren’t familiar with cinnamon in savory dishes, I recommend using ground cinnamon. Start with half a teaspoon of cinnamon and add gradually until you find the perfect balance for your taste. Using ground cinnamon gives you more control over the desired quantity.
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