Ingredients:
- 454 grams rotini (or elbow/spaghetti)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 medium green bell pepper
- 1 medium onion (white or yellow)
- 227 grams sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cup grated cheese (Mozzarella, Italian Blend, or Cheddar)
- 60 ml sour cream
- 794 grams red pasta sauce
Preparation
Let’s get this culinary journey started, shall we? Grab your apron and channel your inner Italian nonna because we’re diving into the art of making Old-school Spaghetti. But don’t worry; you don’t need a time machine to recreate this classic dish. Just follow these steps, and presto!
Blend Ingredients
First things first, gather all the ingredients. Imagine them as a small symphony waiting to become a legendary melody. Blend those aromatic herbs and spices like a maestro would with a baton—swift and precise.
Cook Pasta
Time to boil some water and toss in your favorite spaghetti. Remember the golden rule: a watched pot never boils, so take a break, maybe get an espresso, and enjoy the anticipation. Cook that pasta until it’s al dente—firm yet tender, just like we like it!
Prepare Baking Dish
Next, grab a baking dish. This will be the stage where all the magic happens. Think of it as the grand coliseum for your pasta masterpiece. Let’s make it a worthy arena—grease it up a little to avoid the dramatic stick-to-the-bottom scene.
Prep Vegetables
Now, dodge those tears and chop up those vibrant veggies like a pro. For crying out loud, you’re making spaghetti, not an onion-induced sob story. Slice, dice, and set them aside—they have a starring role to play soon.
Sauté Vegetables
Heat up a glorious pan, and sauté the vegetables until they sing with flavor. We’re looking for that golden-brown hue, the mark of perfectly cooked veggies. This is stir-fry ballet, folks—you’re the choreographer, so make it count!
Cook Beef
Enter: The beef! Brown it in the pan until it’s cooked through and through. This is your protein-packed powerhouse, adding heartiness to your dish. Don’t rush it; let it reach its full potential. Give it the respect it deserves—kind of like seasoning a very fine steak.
Mix Cheese
Now it’s time to grate and mix your favorite cheeses, creating a blend that would make even the dairy gods weep with joy. Mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan—you choose your dream team. This cheesy goodness is about to tie everything together in perfect harmony.
Assemble Dish
Layer your baking dish like it’s lasagna’s cooler cousin. Start with pasta, follow up with sautéed vegetables, and layer the beef. Repeat until you’re out of ingredients, then top it all off with that golden cheese blend. This is where all your hard work culminates into greatness.
Bake
Preheat your oven to a cozy temperature. Slide that bad boy in and let it bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden-brown. The aroma will be your kitchen’s applause, signaling your dish’s impending ovation.
Serve
Finally, serve your Old-school Spaghetti with a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley. Maybe add a dash of pride too. You’ve just prepared a dish worthy of a standing ovation. Gather your loved ones and let them indulge in this delightful, homely spaghetti.
Bon Appétit!
