Make your spaghetti healthier, tastier and go further by adding some fresh veggies to the sauce. If your kids pick out even small diced veggies, grate them with a hand grater and they will never know that they are eating healthy!
1 lb. lean ground beef
1/4 t. red pepper flakes, or to taste
1/2 T. Italian seasoning
3/4 t. salt
1/4 t. freshly ground black pepper
3 garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 onion, rough-chopped or grated
1-2 carrots, scubbed, peeled and diced, or grated
1 stalk celery, scrubbed and diced, or grated
28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1/2 T. olive oil
10 oz. spaghetti
Parmesan cheese, for serving
Pasta:
Bring a saucepan of salted water to boil; add pasta. Cook until al dente, according to package directions, tender but not soggy. Drain.
Ground beef:
Mix ground meat, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper together.
Dice or chop garlic, onions, carrots and celery; and then puree in a blender, food processor or with an immersion blender.
Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add oil and meat to hot oil. Crumble meat as it cooks; brown 4 - 6 minutes. Drain off any fat. Fold in veggie puree; saute 3 - 4 minutes; add crushed tomatoes. Boil; simmer uncovered 15 - 20 minutes.
When sauce is done simmering, season to taste with more spices, salt, and pepper. If t sauce tastes too tart or acidic,add a little sugar.
Serve hot and garnish with Parmesan cheese.