As I noted in November, I lost my mom. I find myself looking to favorite childhood recipes to remember here. This one we had at least once a week when I was a kid.

Quick, easy and freezes well, I usually make double so I have some on hand for quick dinners.  Trust me, you will never find any jar sauce in my house.  Ever.  If you’d like to have meatballs instead, recipe is here.

On the board tonight:

1. Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce
2. Zucchini Italiano
3. Crusty Italian Bread
4. Sherbet or even better, Gelato

Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce

• 9 – 12 oz pasta of choice (I like angel hair for this recipe)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 green pepper
• 1 small onion
• 3 tsp. crushed garlic
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 6 oz tomato paste
• 3 tomatoes, diced (or 14 oz can diced tomatoes)
• 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 3 tsp dried basil, crushed*
• 3 tsp dried oregano, crushed
• 1 tsp rosemary, crushed
• 1 carrot, finely grated or 1/2 tsp sugar (these reduce the acidity of the sauce and bring out the spices – trust me on this one)
• Salt & pepper to taste

2 saucepans and large skillet

In skillet, heat oil, sauté pepper, onion, garlic.  Add hamburger and cook thoroughly.  Add tomato paste and 1 tsp ea of crushed basil, oregano and rosemary, mix well.   In saucepan, add remaining ingredients and bring to a low boil, reduce heat, add meat mixture and let simmer for 30 minutes.

Cook pasta according to directions, drain well and serve with sauce and Parmesan cheese.

Zucchini Italiano

• 2 medium zucchini
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp crushed garlic
• salt & pepper to taste
• ½  tsp oregano, crushed
• ½  tsp basil, crushed
• 4 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

medium skillet

Clean and slice zucchini, heat oil in skillet, add zucchini, garlic and spices. Stir-fry over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon water and let steam until zucchini is tender.  Toss with parmesan and serve.

*CRUSHING Spices – when using dry spices, to get the best flavor, you should crush them, either by rubbing them in your hand or using a mortar and pestle before adding them to a recipe.

Shopping List:

• 9 – 12 oz pasta
• 1 green pepper
• 1 small onion
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 6 oz tomato paste
• 3 tomatoes, diced (or 14 oz can diced tomatoes)
• 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 carrot
• Parmesan cheese
• 2 medium zucchini
• Crusty Italian Bread
• Sherbet or  Gelato