Makaronia me Kima (Greek Spaghetti with Minced Beef and Tomato Sauce)
Why this recipe works
- Warm savoury depth: Browning the beef before adding tomato builds a richer base, while cinnamon gives the sauce its recognisably Greek warmth.
- Fresh tomato texture: Grating ripe tomatoes keeps the sauce bright and pulpy without the skins, helping it reduce into a thick coating for the pasta.
- Practical for planning ahead: The meat sauce stores and freezes well, so the pasta can be cooked fresh while the sauce is reheated when needed.
Get the most out of this recipe
Ingredient notes
- Choose ripe tomatoes: Ripe tomatoes give the sauce better sweetness and body. If they are especially juicy, allow the sauce to simmer a little longer until it looks glossy rather than watery.
- Kefalotyri finish: Kefalotyri adds the salty, firm cheese finish commonly associated with Greek pasta dishes. Parmesan is a practical substitute when kefalotyri is unavailable.
- Use cinnamon lightly: Cinnamon should sit in the background as a warm savoury note, not dominate the tomato and beef.
Texture tips
- Reduce until it clings: Keep the sauce uncovered at a gentle simmer so excess liquid evaporates and the mixture thickens enough to coat a spoon.
- Drain the pasta well: Excess cooking water can loosen the sauce on the plate, so drain the spaghetti thoroughly before serving.
Make-ahead tips
- Make the sauce in advance: Cook and cool the meat sauce ahead, then refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze the sauce, not the pasta: The sauce freezes well for up to 3 months. Cook the spaghetti fresh for the best texture.
- Reheat gently: Warm the sauce over low heat until piping hot, loosening it with a splash of water if needed.
Authenticity notes
- Greek comfort food style: Makaronia me kima is typically served as a simple home-style pasta dish, with the meat sauce spooned over the spaghetti rather than fully tossed through.
- Cheese varies by availability: Kefalotyri is a classic choice, but similar hard, salty cheeses are often used when it is difficult to find.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Finely chop the onion and crush the garlic. Coarsely grate the kefalotyri and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion with a pinch of the salt and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until soft and lightly golden, then stir in the garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the minced beef and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned with no pink remaining. Stir in the cinnamon and black pepper and cook for 30 seconds.
- Grate the tomatoes on the coarse side of a grater into a bowl, discarding the skins, then add the pulp and juices to the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cook for 18 to 22 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and glossy and the sauce clings to a spoon rather than looking watery.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to the boil and season with the remaining salt. Cook the spaghetti until al dente, then drain well in a colander.
- Taste the meat sauce and adjust with a little more black pepper if you like. Divide the spaghetti between bowls, spoon the sauce over the top, and finish with the grated kefalotyri.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For a sauce that really clings, keep the simmer gentle and uncovered, and stir more often towards the end so it reduces without catching.
- If your tomatoes are very juicy, extend the simmer by 5 minutes until the sauce looks thick and leaves a clear trail when you drag a spoon through it.
Substitutions
- Replace Kefalotyri cheese with Parmesan for a similar salty finish.
- Replace Spaghetti with Linguine for a slightly broader noodle that holds the sauce well.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool the meat sauce quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Freeze the sauce for up to 3 months; defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat in a frying pan over low heat until piping hot, loosening with a splash of water if needed. Cook pasta fresh for the best texture.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 50min (25min active)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: Greek
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Allergens:
Gluten Milk Wheat
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