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?
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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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I love adding veggies to my pasta sauce. Thanks for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.
Thats my new trick for my picky eater. The latest: cauliflower in the mashed potatoes! I’m a sneaky mom.
Love that idea! My friend also makes a cauliflower pizza crust and her kids just love it. Note to myself: grow some cauliflower next summer.
So great to have a veggie boost!
I chop up fresh vegetables for my sauce too! I also try to minimize time in the kitchen…! I used jarred sauce then add in my own vegetables and spices and call it good 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Share Your Stuff Tuesdays!
At this point I used jarred sauce too. I have discovered that I’m really good at growing tomatoes so I’m going to grow a bunch next year just to make tomato sauce for spaghetti though.