30 Minute Meal Healthy Hearty Spaghetti

30 Minute Meal Healthy Hearty Spaghetti every Monday night for my family. Why? Because it's simple, healthy and (with a few changes) a full meal in one bowl.

I recently discovered that not everyone makes spaghetti the same way.

In fact, most people I’ve talked to use spaghetti as a side dish or snack!

Who has time to cook a 3-course meal every evening?

We certainly don’t.

In fact, I don’t really enjoy cooking at all so I try to minimize my time in the kitchen.

Every Monday is spaghetti night for my family.

Why?

Because it’s simple, healthy and (with a few modifications) a full meal in one bowl.

The best part: I can have it on the table in less than 30 minutes with only 2 pots to clean.

 

30 Minute Meal Healthy Hearty Spaghetti

Ingredients

500g lean ground beef

350g kamut spaghetti noodles (you could also use whole wheat or another type of pasta)

2 cups of spaghetti sauce (or pureed tomatoes with basil, oregano, garlic, and sage)

4 carrots or 2 cups cauliflower florets or your favorite vegetable (you could puree these as well and add it to the sauce if you have pickier little ones) (other veggie ideas: spinach, zucchini, corn, peas)

Instructions

Start heating water for the pasta (in a large pot) and then scramble fry your ground beef (hint: start with hot water and it will boil sooner)

Put your pasta in the boiling water. Tip: break spaghetti noodles in half or thirds to make it easier (and less messy) for little ones to eat.

Chop your carrots while you wait for the ground beef to finish up.

If you choose to, strain the grease out of the ground beef. Return it to the burner and turn the heat to “low.”

Mix about 2 cups of spaghetti sauce into the ground beef and let it simmer. (I don’t actually measure anything. We buy sauce in bulk and I just pour a bunch in).

Your pasta should be nearly done.

Throw the veggies into the water with the pasta.

They’ll boil together and be done around the same time.

Get the kids to set the table.

Strain the noodles and veggies then mix in your meat sauce.

Garnish with Parmesan or grated cheese and side with a glass of milk. If you’re really feeling fancy, you could add a salad, but there are already vegetables mixed into the main dish so you’ve already got a fully balanced supper for your family.

Notes

One more wonderful thing about this meal: throw in some extra noodles, sauce, and veggies and you’ve got enough for leftovers.

It’s just as tasty the second time around!

30 Minute Meal Healthy Hearty Spaghetti Recipe

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6 Comments

  1. Avatar Cindy @Hun... What's for Dinner?
    • Avatar Catherine Clutchey
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  2. Avatar Emily @ Simple Life Of A Fire Wife
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