Papa's Famous Spaghetti
The recipe that started it all
This recipe is special, because my dad has been making it for my family since I was born, and it's one of our favorite sit-down together family meals. Also, I don't call him Papa, but it sounds more Italian - so on nights we make this, I do!
Getting the garlic and oregano flavor right is critical. Start with a solid amount, but then adjust along the way - the flavors change as it cooks over time, so adding a pinch at the end may be just enough. Adding the carrots and kale is kinda unique too. Carrots bring a nice sweetness that's different from the tomatoes, and the kale blends in after cooking for so long, delivering a healthy jolt you can't taste. If you really don't like kale, substitute raw spinach leaves.
The polish moment for me is when you pour the sauce over the spaghetti and add a piece of garlic bread, spice, or maybe some more vegetables on top! We highly suggest using bowls - they scoop up the flavor and catch fallen food, perfect for any member of the family.
How to Make It
- 1
Start with a pot, but you'll move to a slow cooker later - have both ready.
- 2
Dice the onions and thin-slice the garlic. Get both sautéing in the pot with a dash of olive oil.
- 3
When those are appropriately cooked (about 5 minutes), add 1 lb of ground beef. While that's cooking, add liberal amounts of garlic salt and oregano on the beef. Flavor comes from layers - add as much as feels like too much at this step. It will mellow as you add other ingredients.
- 4
When the beef is all brown and broken into little chunks, add the Roma tomatoes and any fresh basil. Scrape the juice from the cutting board in as well.
- 5
Let those juices simmer for 5 minutes. When it starts to dry out a bit, add the spaghetti sauces and bring to a boil for 5–10 minutes.
- 6
Pour the sauce into a slow cooker and add the thin-sliced carrots and shredded kale.
- 7
Cook on the low setting for 6–8 hours. Stir every few hours and taste, adding garlic salt and oregano as needed.
Ingredients
- 1 white onion, diced
- 10 garlic cloves, sliced
- 1 lb ground beef
- Dried oregano
- Garlic salt
- 3 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 2 (24 oz) jars spaghetti sauce (something basic like basil or garlic)
- About 20 baby carrots, sliced into thin rounds
- Fresh basil, torn into small pieces
- Fresh kale, torn into small pieces
- Olive oil
- Spaghetti, for serving
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