Spaghetti night at AHOP.....

Spaghetti night at AHOP was earlier this month.

I have made lasagna several times in the past year, but it has been a while since I made spaghetti. I love my lasagna (and my friends love it too), but it was a welcome change not doing the whole 'production' that lasagna brings. And anyone who has made lasagna knows what I'm talking about it. And when I make it, it's like x 4!  

11 officers stopped by that night. 

When the first officer arrived, he took a picture of the food and sent a text message out to a few officers on his shift. One reply came back almost immediately. It said '17', which means 'en route'. The second officer hugged me when he arrived and said it 'made his day' when the message went out that I was cooking dinner, and that's always nice to hear. 

Another officer was fixing his plate when a call came in on his ear piece and he said 'I gotta go'! So I quickly got a To-Go box and threw all of his food in there and he was on his way (the life of a police officer). 

Several officers came that night who had never been to my home before. I love it when an officer comes for the first time. I think they're taken aback at how comfortable they feel right from the get-go....or at least I think they do. I try to make it their 'safe place' -- no photos (except for the food); no strangers; and they can enjoy a hot meal at a table and conversation with the other officers. 

The last three officers left at 10:20 pm. I loaded the dishwasher with as many dishes as it would hold, soaked the dishes that wouldn't fit, and the old girl went to bed! 

I love doing this so much!   ♥

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My spaghetti sauce recipe is a modified version of The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond (the Food Network). The recipe below is with my modifications, for example -- I only added one large onion instead of two; and only one green pepper instead of two. I know not everyone cares for onions and/or green peppers, so I try to take this into consideration when I'm cooking for others.

And an FYI...I use this sauce when making lasagna. One pot makes three (3) 13x9 inch lasagna pans.

Please be sure to review the complete unmodified version of this recipe by Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman.  Click HERE!

Spaghetti Sauce 
Servings:  18 servings
IMPORTANT: This recipe can easily be halved!

Ingredients

• 5 pounds Ground Beef or Ground Round (I Used Ground Round)
• 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 whole large Yellow Onion, Diced 
• 1 whole Green Bell Pepper, Seeded And Diced  
• 6 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 cup White Wine OR Low Sodium Beef Broth if you prefer (I used the beef broth since I was cooking for the Po-Po)
• 2 cans 28 Ounce Crushed Tomatoes
• 1 can (14 Oz. Size) Crushed Tomatoes
• 1 can (small, 4-ounce) Tomato Paste
• 1 jar good store-bought Marinara Sauce (I used Ragu Traditional, but you use your favorite)
• 1 teaspoon Ground Oregano
• 1 teaspoon Ground Thyme
• 2 tablespoons Sugar (I used a little more than 2 tablespoons -- it was tart)
• 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
• 2 pounds Spaghetti, Cooked Al Dente And Tossed With Olive Oil

Instructions
(Read Ree Drummond's instructions. She has step-by-step photos and instructions. click HERE.

In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until totally browned. Remove meat from pot with a slotted spoon and put into a bowl. Set aside.  

Discard any grease in pot, but do not clean the pot. Drizzle in olive oil. When it is heated, throw in the diced onion and diced bell pepper. Stir it around for 1-1/2 minutes, then add the garlic. Stir and cook for an additional minute. *Note: dicing the onion, green pepper, and garlic the night before is a huge time-saver.

Pour in the wine (or beef broth) and allow it to bubble up and reduce for about 1-1/2 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and marinara sauce. Stir to combine, then add oregano, thyme, sugar, and salt. Stir, then add cooked ground beef and stir to combine. Place the lid on the pot and allow to simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add a little water or more beef broth if it needs more liquid.

Before serving, drizzle olive oil on the cooked/drained spaghetti noodles and toss. Serve with a nice salad and a big piece of garlic bread. 

This before and after picture is a terrific testimonial of how terrific The Pioneer Woman's spaghetti sauce recipe is!

 

♥