Pasta Party Entry #1: Spaghetti and Meat Sauce

This post is for Louise.  As the title implies, I might just do a few more pasta posts this weekend, to join in her virtual Pasta Party.It's all good fun, after all.

SPAGHETTI AND MEAT SAUCE

1 pound ground beef
1 tsp salt
1 large onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 small carrot, grated
12-oz can tomato paste
3 cans water
28-oz can diced tomatoes
salt
oregano
basil
garlic powder, if desired
shredded mozzarella, if desired
Spaghetti, Angel Hair, or whatever you desire

Start some generously salted water to boiling in one pan, so the pasta can be cooked at the appropriate time.

In a large, pot, break up the ground beef.  Brown over medium-high heat with the onion and garlic.  When it's cooked, drain the meat, then rinse twice in cold water to remove all of the fat.  Return to the heat, stir in the tomato paste and carrot, and cook for a couple of minutes.  Stir in the cans of water, one at a time, and cook briefly after each addition.  Add the tomatoes and salt to taste, and simmer for 20 minutes or so.  Just before serving, stir in the oregano and basil, and, if needed, some garlic powder.  If you like (and my boys do), one of my daughter's Italian friends says her family puts shredded mozzarella over the pasta before putting the sauce over it, so it melts in and creates a gooey, delicious concoction.

Dave the Italian substitute UPS driver says that you can reserve some of the pasta cooking water, and then pour it back over the pasta to prevent it from sticking before you serve it.  Of course, he also says his father takes 8 hours every Sunday to make "gravy" (because this is not sauce in the world according to Dave), so he probably knows something about pasta.

Happy Friday, everyone!