Keima me Makaronia (Greek Spiced Meat Sauce with Pasta)

Ingredients

• 500 g ground beef
• 500 g pasta (spaghetti or bucatini)
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 allspice berries, crushed
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 0.5 cup grated kefalotyri or parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. 1

   Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, then add the ground beef and brown it well, breaking it up with a spoon.

2. 2

   Stir in the garlic, cinnamon, and allspice. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

3. 3

   Add the tomato paste and toast it slightly before pouring in the tomato puree and a splash of water. Season with salt and pepper.

4. 4

   Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. 5

   While the sauce simmers, boil the pasta in salted water according to package directions.

6. 6

   Drain the pasta and toss it with the sauce, or serve the sauce over the pasta. Top generously with grated cheese before serving.