Date night spaghetti is perfect for Valentine's Day pasta, at home anniversary dinner ideas, and general date night dinners at home.
Prep Time20 minutesmins
Cook Time30 minutesmins
Total Time50 minutesmins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: date night spaghetti, heart spaghetti, Valentine's Day pasta
Servings: 3servings
Calories: 625kcal
Cost: $12
Ingredients
8ozSpaghetti
¾lbGround beef
¾cupCarrotshredded
½cupOniondiced
2tbspOlive oil
2tbspButter
5tbspTomato paste
¾cupTomato puree
1½cupChicken brothor water
1tspPaprika
2Garlic clovesminced; or 1 tsp garlic powder
3tbspParsleyfresh; divided
1 tspSalt
1tspBlack pepper
2Thyme sprigsor 1 tsp dried thyme
1Bay leaf
2cupsWater
Instructions
Peel and dice the onion and peel and shred the carrot (if necessary).
In a medium skillet, add olive oil and butter over medium heat.
Add the vegetables and saute until translucent.
Remove the veggies and add the meat, cooking until ground beef is browned. Drain and return to the skillet, along with the sauteed veggies.
Pour the tomato paste, tomato puree and chicken broth (or water) into the pan. Add salt and spices. (Reserve one tablespoon of parsley for garnish.) Stir and simmer until the sauce is thick.
In a large pot, place the bay leaf and minced garlic. Heat the garlic over medium heat. Pour in the water and bring to a boil, increasing heat as necessary. Add the spaghetti. Cook for 12 minutes.
Drain the cooked spaghetti in a colander. Drizzle with olive oil and keep warm.
Divide the spaghetti into two whip-shaped pieces. Twist around the edges of the dinner plate as shown in the photos. The two sections of spaghetti should dip and touch at the top of the plate and should touch at the bottom in a point - just like a heart. (Use kitchen gloves to avoid burning yourself.) Place the meat sauce in the center, using the noodles as a nest. (You may have extra spaghetti remaining for a third serving. Use as leftovers if so, reserving a bit of extra sauce.)
Garnish with parmesan cheese and the reserved tablespoon of fresh parsley.
Notes
*If spaghetti noodles become cold as you are preparing the heart shape, you may wish to heat in the microwave before topping with the hot meat sauce.