Best Mikes Spaghetti Recipes

SPAGHETTI WITH QUICK PESTO TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Set up your grill for cooking with direct and indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only.
• Make the tomato sauce: Combine the tomatoes along with their juices, butter, red pepper flakes, bay leaves, onion halves and a pinch of salt in a very large saucepan or skillet. Place over the indirect-heat side of the grill and bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally and using a potato masher to smash the whole tomatoes at the halfway mark. Discard the onion and bay leaves.
• Make the pesto: In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together the garlic and nuts until chopped. Add the basil with a pinch of salt and pulse until it makes coarse crumbs. Transfer to a mixing bowl and add the Parmesan and olive oil. Mix until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place a large pot of salted water over the direct-heat side of the grill and bring to a boil. Cook the pasta 2 minutes less than the package directions, then scoop out into the tomato sauce, adding 1/2 cup pasta water. Toss to coat, then remove from the heat. (If the pasta is too dry, add some more pasta water.) Stir half the pesto mixture into the pasta. Plate and serve immediately with more pesto over the top.

MIKE'S ITALIAN GRANDMA'S PASTA SAUCE

Steps:

• Brown your meat and drain off the excess fat. Add all the ingredients together. My hubby likes to put this all in the crock pot and slowcook it for about 6 hours. You could also simmer it stovetop for maybe an hour or so if you're in a hurry. Delicious. We serve this with tortellini or spaghetti and our pickiest kids can't get enough. They also request bread to sop up the extra.
• Note: Of course you can used canned tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato puree or even fresh. Just cook longer and add a pinch of sugar.

MIKE"S SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Steps:

• Add all ingredients to a large pot. Simmer for at least an hour, or as long as you can.

CARBONARA-ISH

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Add the pasta and occasionally give it a stir so it doesn't stick together. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directions.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium high-heat. Add the cured meat and cook until it begins to crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. When the meat is almost completely crispy, carefully add 1/2 cup of the pasta water and, using a wooden spoon, scrape all of the tasty bits off the bottom of the pan. Turn off the heat. (If you would like to add a mix-in like peas or asparagus, add it here.)
• Whisk together the eggs in a small bowl until they are smooth. Add the Parmesan, parsley, the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil, lots of pepper and a pinch of salt. Add the egg mixture to the meat, stirring vigorously to incorporate without scrambling the eggs.
• Remove the pasta from the water and toss it with the sauce, making sure to coat the noodles well. Add more Parmesan if desired, stirring the pasta vigorously. If the pasta begins to seize up, add another splash of pasta water to loosen it.
• Divide the pasta into 4 bowls, topping each one with additional Parmesan and cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.

EASY SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• In a nonstick skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, water and spaghetti; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until spaghetti is tender. Add process cheese; stir until melted. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.