Buono, fella! Where would family mealtimes be without this crowd-pleaser? For our Cheap Eats with Manx Meat series, we’re adding a dash of Ellan Vannin to this classic taste of Italy with beautifully rich flavours of Manx beef mince.
Like most of our budget-friendly recipes, our Spaghetti Ballagnese can be doubled-up, frozen, and even bolstered with more ingredients if you’ve got them handy.
As always, we heartily recommend popping to your local butcher if you’re after more inspiration for your value cuts. When it comes to making the most of Manx meat, they know the score!
See our list of approved suppliers to find out where you can buy Manx meat.
SPAGHETTI BALLAGNESE
▹ Serves 4–6 people
▹ Prep Time: 10 mins
▹ Cooking Time: 45 mins
TOP TIP: This is a great dish to make use of leftover veg or cupboard staples. Throw some mushrooms and/or peppers in and fry up with the onions. If you fancy adding more flavour to the sauce, a generous splash of Worcestershire Sauce or balsamic vinegar can work absolute wonders.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 500g Manx beef mince
• 1 x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 400ml beef stock (or vegetable stock)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 500g spaghetti
• Olive or sunflower oil
• Grated Parmesan cheese, to serve (optional – if you’re trying to stay in budget, try an Italian-style hard cheese or a nice Manx cheddar)
METHOD
1. Put a large frying pan or saucepan over a medium-high heat and add a splash of olive or sunflower oil.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the Manx beef mince and cook until nicely browned. This should take about 5–10 minutes.
4. Stir in the chopped tomatoes, beef stock, tomato puree, dried basil, and dried oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Reduce heat and simmer for 25–30 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
6. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions. Drain and set aside.
7. Serve the spaghetti with the meaty sauce on top or mix through. If you have it, sprinkle the Parmesan or Manx cheddar cheese over the top.
Enjoyed this recipe? Check out our homemade lasagne, beef chilli and cottage pie recipes for more fabulous dishes for families on a budget.
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