Dad’s Spaghetti
Flavors From Childhood
Dad’s Spaghetti is the kind of meal that sticks with you for life. It is not just because it’s hearty and delicious, but because it’s so nostalgic.
This is my best friend’s dad’s go-to recipe, a no-fuss, comforting classic that’s perfect for anyone who wants a warm, satisfying meal without the hassle. Made with canned spaghetti, savory ground beef, sautéed green peppers, and onions.
It’s a simple dish that proves great flavor. Sorry Eminem, but this is DAD’s Spaghetti.
A “recipe” doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re short on time, new to cooking, or just craving a taste of childhood, this is the kind of meal that feels like home.
The Lore of Food Toss Friday
If you are a Facebook follower, you may know my best friend as “Food Toss Friday.’ She gained this moniker from coming by my condo in Chicago, where there there is no parking, and having me toss lunch time leftovers to her out the front window.
It may be important to mention that I live on a high second floor. She catches the food 9/10 times.
Once, she even caught it after having had hand surgery!
The Recipe Development Team
Food Toss Friday, along with Mister Tipsy, are some of the masterminds behind The Tipsy Housewife Recipe Development team. FTF often makes suggestions of food for me to make based off her childhood memories.
This is one of those recipes. Another recipe that now lives in FTF’s memory AND here on The Tipsy Housewife, is her Mom’s recipe for Snap,Crackle, Pop Chicken, the crispiest of all chicken tender recipes.
Canned Spaghetti?
There was a time when I taught cooking in communities that faced food insecurities. I learned a lot about cooking with food that had to be found at dollar stores and even gas stations.
Many of the people I taught cooking to had mobility issues. When FTF told me about this recipe, I thought it not only sounded delicious, but it reminded me of a recipe that could be helpful to someone who maybe would struggle with lifting and draining a boiling hot pot of spaghetti.
It’s also a fun recipe that kids could make, or that someone who has only an electric skillet to cook with could handle.
Peppers and Onions Add To The Flavor
The peppers and onions add to the flavors of this dish. The canned spaghetti is decent, but I think on its own it could use some more pizzazz.
This step adds lots of flavors to this dish. Make sure you add the soy sauce as well, it adds an all day cooked flavor to this dish.
Canned Spaghetti Sources
The recipe here calls for the Campbell’s Canned Spaghetti. The spaghetti is in a tomato cheese sauce.
I find this canned spaghetti at lots of stores and on Amazon. I have also found this product at Walmart and Family Dollar numerous times.
Heinz makes a canned spaghetti as well as Chef Boyardee. I do not think you will have a problem finding this product.
How To Serve
After this recipe simmers for 15 minutes, you can get ready to serve it! I like to serve it with buttered white bread for ultimate nostalgia.
You need more veggies with this so serve it with a simple salad. I just use some chopped romaine and an Italian dressing that is already made.
Give It A Try
You may have come here to scoff at this recipe, but please give it a try before you say NO. Also note that while this recipe may not be for you, it may be a perfect recipe for someone who has limited cooking abilities due to their physical restrictions or their cooking space.
Some people may just want to make this and enjoy! If you want a little bit more complicated Meat Sauce Recipes, there are plenty on my site.
Dad's Spaghetti
Dad's Spaghetti is the ultimate nostalgia comfort food. Canned spaghetti with ground beef and veggies that mixes perfectly with white bread.
Ingredients
- 2 cans of Campbell's Spaghetti (15.8 ounce each)
- 1 lb of lean ground beef
- 1 medium sized, green bell pepper
- 1 medium sized, yellow onion
- 1/2 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- 2 teaspoons of dried Italian seasoning (or dried oregano or dried basil)
- Parmesan Cheese for Serving
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a skillet, peel and dice your onion and wash, dry, and dice your bell pepper. Dice both into a small dice. Add to the skillet with butter and sauté until soft.
- Season the vegetables with the garlic powder, onion powder and dried Italian seasoning. Sauté for one to two minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the pan and cook completely, breaking up the ground beef into a fine crumble as it cooks. Use a lean beef, but if there is excess fat, you can drain the beef.
- Add the soy sauce to the beef and sauté for a minute or two.
- Add the two cans of spaghetti, combine well with the meat and peppers and onion mixture, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir this occasionally.
- Serve immediately with Parmesan cheese on top. I like to serve this with buttered white bread and a nice salad.