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Makaronia Me Kima: Greek Pasta with Savory Meat Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 71 reviews

Makaronia Me Kima is a traditional Greek spaghetti dish featuring a rich and aromatic ground beef meat sauce simmered with cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, and crushed tomatoes. This comforting and flavorful recipe is served with grated Parmesan, making it a hearty meal perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium carrot, finely chopped or grated
  • 2–3 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 2 large garlic cloves, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 lb (500 g) lean ground beef
  • ½ cup (100 ml) dry red wine
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 large garlic cloves (additional)
  • 2–3 bay leaves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) crushed tomatoes
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Pasta and Serving

  • 10.5 oz (300 g) bucatini
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, to serve

Instructions

  1. Sauté vegetables: Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large, deep pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely chopped red onion, carrot, and celery, and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  2. Add garlic and tomato paste: Stir in the chopped garlic cloves and cook for another minute. Then, add the tomato paste and mix thoroughly to combine with the sautéed vegetables.
  3. Cook the ground beef: Add the lean ground beef to the pan, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the beef is browned and no longer pink.
  4. Add red wine: Pour in the dry red wine and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the alcohol to evaporate and the wine to reduce slightly.
  5. Season the sauce: Stir in the ground cinnamon, additional chopped garlic cloves, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick. Mix well to release the spices’ aromas into the sauce.
  6. Add crushed tomatoes: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine all ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  7. Simmer the sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes or until it thickens to your desired consistency. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  8. Cook the pasta: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt it generously and cook the bucatini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
  9. Combine pasta and sauce: Drain the pasta and stir it into the meat sauce until well coated. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese for extra creaminess and flavor.
  10. Serve: Serve the Makaronia Me Kima immediately, topped with additional grated Parmesan if desired. Alternatively, serve the pasta and meat sauce separately with Parmesan on top.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef to keep the dish balanced and flavorful without excessive fat.
  • The combination of cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaves gives the sauce a distinctive Greek aroma; do not skip these spices.
  • You can substitute bucatini with spaghetti or any long pasta of choice.
  • Adjust salt and pepper according to personal taste and dietary needs.
  • For a richer sauce, you may simmer slightly longer to concentrate the flavors further.

Keywords: Makaronia Me Kima, Greek spaghetti, ground beef meat sauce, Greek pasta recipe, aromatic meat sauce, Mediterranean cuisine

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/makaronia-me-kima-greek-pasta-with-savory-meat-sauce-recipe/