Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

"old school" spaghetti

(2 ratings)
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Tara Waites
Dallas, TX

Growing up we didn't always have all the ingredients for a spaghetti dinner so my mom would create things with what she had. This recipe became a staple in our neighborhood (Oak Cliff) not just our home.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

While this is called spaghetti, it's not your traditional spaghetti dinner. It's almost like an American-style goulash or casserole. This recipe came about with items that were on hand and became a favorite. And boy is it good! It's full of flavor and spice. Corn adds a touch of sweetness. A nice, hearty meal that can serve a family on a budget and stretch your dollars. Since it's fairly easy to throw together, it's a great weeknight meal.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(2 ratings)
yield 15 serving(s)
prep time 45 Min
cook time 35 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For "old school" spaghetti

  • 2 lb
    ground chuck
  • 1 lg
    bell pepper, diced
  • 1 md
    onion, diced
  • 1 Tbsp
    minced garlic
  • 1 Tbsp
    dried basil (fresh if you have it)
  • 1 can
    diced tomatoes
  • 1 can
    tomato sauce (15 oz)
  • 8 oz
    tomato puree
  • 1 can
    shoepeg corn (11 oz)
  • 8 oz
    elbow macaroni
  • 2 tsp
    Slap Yo Mama seasoning (Lawry's or something similar)

How To Make "old school" spaghetti

  • Cooking onions, bell pepper, and ground beef.
    1
    Cook bell pepper, onion, and ground beef. Add some Slap yo Mama seasoning to taste. Drain.
  • Draining cooked macaroni.
    2
    Cook the elbow macaroni as the box instructs. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  • Ground beef and remaining ingredients added.
    3
    Mix all the other ingredients in a large pot over medium heat. Once you get a boil, add the ground beef mixture and simmer for ten minutes.
  • Stirring in the cooked macaroni.
    4
    Add the pasta and simmer for 5 more minutes.
  • Sprinkling Parmesan cheese over Old School Spaghetti.
    5
    Serve and eat. Some add Parmesan cheese for a topping.
  • 6
    Side Note: You can sub a can of Hunt's spaghetti sauce for the 15 oz can of tomato sauce.
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