Yesterday, Andrew and I were craving something comforting for dinner. It had been a long, sleepless night with him on call, and we were both exhausted. The obvious answer?

My mama’s spaghetti.

This simple, delicious dish is one I grew up eating and instantly takes me back to my childhood. It’s nothing fancy, but it hits the spot every single time. And sometimes, that’s just the kind of dish you need!

With only five ingredients, it’s amazingly simple to make: vermicelli noodles, ground beef, a can of spaghetti sauce, a can of tomato sauce and a half cup of red wine.

The secret ingredient? Time. You’ll need a few hours at least to perfect this yummy pasta dish! Here’s how to make it in your own kitchen:

 

Ingredients

 

• 1 lb ground beef

• I jar spaghetti sauce (we always use Ragu 7 herb tomato pasta sauce)

• 1 14 oz. can tomato sauce

• 1/2 cup red wine (this does wonders for the flavor and I always use a little extra, any type you have will do)

• vermicelli/thin spaghetti noodles (or any type of noodle you prefer)

 

To Cook

 

1. Brown and drain ground beef in a large pan (I use this 3 1/2 QT. Le Creuset dish)

2. Return meat to sauce pan over low heat

3. Add spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce and red wine to meat and stir

4. Bring sauce to a boil, then cover and simmer on low heat for at least 3-4 hours (The longer the better! You want the sauce to cook down so that it’s far more meaty than soupy.)

5. Plate over cooked vermicelli noodles and enjoy

Andrew and I always have a good amount leftover between the two of us. The sauce keeps great in the fridge for a day or two and can easily be reheated in the microwave! I’d just recommend boiling fresh noodles to pair with the leftover sauce

We also love to eat this with a simple Caesar salad (this dressing is my favorite) and if we’re feeling extra carby, a piece of garlic bread.

Like I said, there’s nothing fancy, secretive or made-from-scratch about this spaghetti… just a glug or two of wine and a lot of time. Maybe that’s part of the magic. Trust me, you’re going to love it!

Love from the Sunshine State,

Kate