Here at Miami Canners, we love pasta! What’s not to love, after all? It’s versatile, easy to make, and so cheap you can enjoy it at every sitting. While this culinary classic may have originated in Asia and been perfected by the Italians, it’s a South African favourite beloved by many. Today we have not one, but two, exciting (and easy) pasta dishes to spice up your supper table. The only question is, which will you try first?
Sassy Spaghetti Bolognese
Spaghetti is a staple of modern Italian food, and is loved worldwide. It’s used in a huge variety of dishes, and every aspiring chef should know how to make one good spaghetti dish. Spaghetti Bolognese, or spaghetti with a tomato and beef sauce, is a culinary staple, so why not try this simple recipe out tonight?
- 150g mince
- 1 tomato
- 1 small onion (or use our handy MIAMI Italian tomato or even our MIAMI Anything Goes Tomato Mix)
- ½ green pepper
- 5ml garlic crushed/2 cloves crushed
- 5ml MIAMI tomato paste
- 5ml sugar
- 1 Tbsp oil
- 1 Tbsp sherry
- ½ cup stock
- 80g spaghetti
- 50 ml cream
- 25g butter, melted
- Your choice of seasonings- we suggest salt, pepper, and Italian herbs like basil and parsley
Chop the veggies, then saute the green pepper, garlic, and onion in oil. Brown the mince in the same mix. Skin, chop, and season the tomato with the sugar, salt, and pepper. Add it to the mix and cook until soft (or use our pre-prepared tomato mix tin). Add the stock, sherry, and tomato paste to the pan. Simmer with the lid on for about 30 minutes.
Cook your pasta until al dente in salted, lightly oiled water and drain. Add the butter for taste. Add the cream to the mince mixture and stir in well. If necessary, warm it through, but don’t overheat! You’re ready to serve. Top the pasta with the mince sauce and sprinkle some grated cheddar or parmesan to seal the deal.
Keen to try more delicious pasta? Why not look at the easy lasagna recipe below?
Luxurious Lasagna
We recently looked at the fascinating history of lasagna, and how the modern version of the dish came to be so iconic in our hearts and minds. This simple take on a one-stack lasagna is a family favourite that’s beloved by the Miami team, so why not try it on your own family tonight?
- 150g Mince
- 1 Tomato
- 1 Small Onion (or use our MIAMI Italian Tomato or even our MIAMI Anything Goes Tomato mix)
- 1 Tbsp Sherry
- 80g Lasagna noodles
- ½ cup Grated cheese
- 25 ml Flour
- 25g Margarine
- 1 cup milk
- Smashed garlic cloves to taste
- 1 Tbsp MIAMI tomato paste
- A little oil
- Your choice of seasonings- we suggest salt, pepper, and Italian herbs like basil and parsley
Fry the onion and garlic until soft and brown, then add the mince to brown through. Add and season the tomato or tomato can. Once the tomato is soft, add the sherry and the tomato paste. Simmer for 5 minutes to marry the flavours.
Cook the pasta in salted water with a little oil until al dente and drain. Make a roux from the margarine and flour, and cook for a few minutes on low heat. Slowly add the milk, whisking well, to make a white sauce. Add a tablespoon (or two) of cheese to the sauce.
Line a greased dish with the pasta, heap on the meat and tomato mix, then smother it all in sauce and cheese. Pop it in the oven at 180 degrees C until the cheese has melted, and it’s ready to enjoy.
And there you have it! With these two delicious pasta basics under your belt, you’ll be enjoying pasta like a pro in no time. Remember to let the Miami Canners team know which you enjoyed most.
