SPAGHETTI, QUICK & FLAVORFUL

Spaghetti, Quick & Flavorful image

Provided by Joyce Harrison

Categories Pasta

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb ground beef
1 jar(s) prego with italian sausage
1/2 - 16 oz pkg vermicelli pasta, dry
2 Tbsp tony's chacherie's creole seasoning ( or make your own creole seasoning)
1/4 tsp garlic powder, granulated
1/4-1/2 tsp italian seasoning
1 Tbsp parsley flakes, dried
optional:
1/4 c onion, finely chopped
1/4 c green bell pepper, finely chopped

Steps:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, adding a little olive oil to water. In the meantime, ...
2. Heat a large skillet on medium fire. Add ground beef and seasonings. (If adding onions & bell pepper, add them also.) Cook meat until done, but not "crunchy brown". Remove from pan, and drain in a paper towel lined colander.
3. Discard remaining oil from skillet. Add spaghetti sauce and drained ground meat. Heat until bubbling. Reduce heat to LOW and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. I do a quick taste test, & add additional seasonings, if necessary -- (because I never "measure" anything)!! And ... while this is simmering ... back to pasta!!
4. After pasta has cooked, drain and quickly rinse pasta in warm water. Spray with PAM Butter Flavored spray or half-teaspoon of olive oil ... and toss to coat. (I know that REAL Italians do not rinse their pasta, but I just prefer to eliminate that extra starch!!)
5. NORMALLY, the pasta and the sauce end up ready at the same time, thus ... a 20 minute prep time!!! And, if I'm REALLY "on my game", I also have the salad and bread ready, also!!!
6. Serve over pasta with a green salad and garlic french bread!!!! Garnish with a little fresh parsley, if desired!!! (Look for my Garlic French Bread recipe!!!)