Spanish Spaghetti with Saffron and Pimento Olives
Elevate your spaghetti dinner with this vibrant Spanish twist featuring tender, thin spaghetti enriched with a flavorful sauce of ground beef, zesty marinara, and pimento-stuffed olives. The dish is beautifully enhanced by the aromatic notes of saffron and a hint of sherry, creating a perfect harmony of flavors. It’s a delightful, hearty meal that's both comforting and exciting, perfect for satisfying your pasta cravings while introducing a new culinary experience. Enjoy this dish on a cozy night in or impress your guests with its rich flavors and vibrant presentation!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
thin spaghetti
8 ounces (uncooked)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
onions
2 cups (chopped)
garlic
2 teaspoons (minced)
dried oregano
1 teaspoon
celery salt
1/2 teaspoon
crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon
fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon
saffron thread
1/4 teaspoon (crushed (optional))
extra-lean ground beef
8 ounces (crumbled)
low-sodium marinara sauce
1 2/3 cups
pimento-stuffed olives
1/2 cup (sliced)
dry sherry
1/4 cup
capers
1 tablespoon (small)
fresh parsley
1/4 cup (chopped & divided)
Instructions
1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the thin spaghetti according to package directions until al dente, omitting salt and fat. Drain and set aside.
2
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté for about 4 minutes until they become tender and translucent.
3
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Then, add the dried oregano, celery salt, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, and crushed saffron threads (if using) to the skillet, stirring well to combine.
4
Crumble the extra-lean ground beef into the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often to break up the meat, until it is browned and fully cooked.
5
Once the beef is browned, stir in the low-sodium marinara sauce, sliced pimento-stuffed olives, dry sherry, and capers. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
6
After simmering, add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss well to combine with the sauce. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until the spaghetti is heated through.
7
Before serving, sprinkle with the remaining chopped fresh parsley for a touch of color and freshness.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spanish Spaghetti with Saffron and Pimento Olives?
It is a vibrant Spanish-inspired pasta dish featuring thin spaghetti, extra-lean ground beef, zesty marinara, pimento-stuffed olives, and aromatic saffron.
What type of pasta is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 8 ounces of uncooked thin spaghetti.
How should the thin spaghetti be cooked?
Cook it according to package directions until al dente, but omit any salt or fat in the boiling water.
What is the primary fat used for sautéing?
One tablespoon of olive oil is used to sauté the vegetables.
How long should I cook the onions?
Sauté the chopped onions for about 4 minutes until they are tender and translucent.
When should the minced garlic be added?
Stir in the minced garlic after the onions have softened and cook for one additional minute until fragrant.
Which dried herbs are included in the seasoning?
The sauce is seasoned with dried oregano and celery salt.
What provides the heat in this recipe?
The heat comes from 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
Is the saffron mandatory for this dish?
No, the crushed saffron threads are listed as an optional ingredient.
How should the saffron threads be prepared?
If you are using saffron, the threads should be crushed before being added to the skillet.
What type of ground beef is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of crumbled extra-lean ground beef.
How long does the ground beef take to cook?
Cook the beef for about 5 minutes, stirring often to break up the meat until it is browned.
What kind of marinara sauce is suggested?
The recipe suggests using 1 2/3 cups of low-sodium marinara sauce.
What type of olives are used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of sliced pimento-stuffed olives.
Is alcohol used in this Spanish spaghetti sauce?
Yes, the sauce includes 1/4 cup of dry sherry to enhance the flavor.
Does this recipe contain capers?
Yes, it includes 1 tablespoon of small capers.
How long should the sauce simmer?
After bringing the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
When do you combine the pasta with the sauce?
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet after the sauce has finished its 15-minute simmer.
How long do you cook the pasta once it is mixed with the sauce?
Toss well and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the spaghetti is heated through.
What is used as a final garnish?
Sprinkle the dish with chopped fresh parsley before serving for color and freshness.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 15 ingredients, including the spices and the optional saffron.
Is celery salt used in the seasoning?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of celery salt is added to the spice mixture.
What is the texture of the onions after sautéing?
The onions should be tender and translucent.
What makes this dish a Spanish twist?
The combination of saffron, pimento-stuffed olives, dry sherry, and capers provides a Mediterranean and Spanish flavor profile.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and a great choice for a weeknight dinner.
Can I use fresh ground black pepper?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper.
What should I do after browning the beef?
Once browned, immediately stir in the marinara sauce, olives, sherry, and capers.
What is the purpose of the dry sherry?
The dry sherry adds a depth of flavor and aromatic notes that complement the saffron and olives.
How much fresh parsley is needed?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley, which is divided for use.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to bring a large pot of water to a boil to cook the thin spaghetti.