Mom, known as Sister in her community was a good cook. Her spaghetti was the best. We loved it. Let’s be clear, my mom was a small town girl from the Arkansas Mississippi delta. Her last name was Anderson. I have no idea when she learned to make spaghetti.
I make it just about the same way. Simple. Sure, I make variations on tomato sauces. But this one makes a regular appearance at our table, in the packed lunches and for a quick easy Sunday dinner for family gathering. Don’t you love that we can finally go out into the yard!
Add crusty bread, butter and salad…it is a delicious satisfying meal for all ages.
It is a delicious satisfying meal for all ages.
What is the secret?
Time.
Yes, in our hurried world this easy satisfying meal takes time.
Your hamburger meat must be throughly browned. Throughly. No crusty edges, no black charred pieces. Then smash it into little pieces. No lumps please. If you do that, it will make a difference! It will.
The sauce needs to simmer melting those flavors into yumminess.
You may have noticed the casual table setting. Jim’s mothers aluminium strainer full of pasta shells, pot full of sauce. A tossed salad and dressing jars. We carried everything out and there you have it!
Mom's Simple Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 1 lb 80 / 20 hamburger meat 1 large can of tomato sauce or puree 1 small can tomato paste 1 small can of water
- 1 medium chopped onion garlic to taste about 1-2 cloves 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning or basil and oregano Salt to taste a pinch of baking soda 1 scant teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Brown meat throughly. Drain any excess drippings. Put heat on medium. Add tomato sauce, paste and water. Stir throughly. Add seasonings. Stir throughly. Cook at a low simmer. Slow simmer for several hours, stirring frequently.
- Serve with noodles and crusty bread.
What do you serve for an impromptu gathering and little work?
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That is the one meal I can get most of my kids to eat! Thanks for linking with Home Sweet Home!
Sherry
Hi Linda,
Your Spaghetti looks fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Planning on it! Thanks for hosting
I’m reading this before breakfast, Linda, and now I am sooo hungry. Your spaghetti looks yummy. I love pasta in every way. Unfortunately, my husband doesn’t share my passion, so I don’t make it very often. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving the nice comment. I’m following you via Bloglovin’. I want to spend more time reading about your life and home. Hope you’ll come back and visit A Joyful Cottage again. 🙂 ~ Nancy
I love slow simmered tomato sauce, with fresh flavors! This is my go to meal as well for an impromptu gathering with little work! I love tacos too 🙂
Cathy
Looks wonderful….I love making spagetti sauce…I use my mother-in-laws recipe and always a hit (she was Italian)….your recipe sounds wonderful!!
We love eating spaghetti! Using those passed down recipes keep us connected wiht our history I think! Thanks for the visit. Have a good day!
Hi Linda, You have an incredible house. That is really fantastic. Just remember if you get overwhelmed with a 200+ year old home, that it lasted 200+ years and it doesn’t all need to be fixed in a year. That is my dream house. Maybe not so big, but my dream house.
Please let me know if you use the paint removal tip for all your hinges, window hardware, etc. I can’t wait to hear about your experience. It is just so wonderful. Wait till the paint pops off, you shouldn’t have to do any work except for a toothbrush to get in the tiniest corners. If over painted hinges, etc. is a pet peeve of yours like it is too me, you’ll love this. I couldn’t stop looking for over painted hardware; it was addictive.
I printed out Mom’s Spaghetti Recipe, because I have been looking for a good recipe for years. Thank you. I’ll follow along and watch as your life enfolds in this gorgeous historic home.
Ginene
Thanks for your encouragement. Sure hope you enjoy the sauce. Hinges are on the list to do with my daughter when school is out. Have a good day!