Cheeseburger Spaghetti Bake: A Budget-Friendly Family Favorite 🍝🍔✨
Absolutely, let’s delve into the delightful history and details of this recipe named “Roman Holiday Cheeseburger Spaghetti”! 🍝🍔
Roman Holiday Cheeseburger Spaghetti
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Calories: 524.2 per serving
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Cuisine: American
Category: One Dish Meal
Keywords: Spaghetti, Kid Friendly, Weeknight, Oven, < 4 Hours
Description:
This recipe holds a heartwarming tale of ingenuity and flavor, hailing from a time when a dollar could feed a whole family during the challenging days of the Depression. Originally published on Columbus Day, its moniker “Roman Holiday” reflects the enduring spirit of this dish—economical yet utterly delicious.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 can (2 cups) tomato puree
- 2 cups shredded American cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup margarine
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
| Step | Description | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until tender. Drain and set aside. | 20 minutes |
| 2 | Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). | |
| 3 | In a skillet, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion until beef is no longer pink. | 10 minutes |
| 4 | Add tomato puree, salt, and pepper to the beef mixture. Stir well to combine. | 5 minutes |
| 5 | In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti and beef mixture. Mix until spaghetti is evenly coated. | 5 minutes |
| 6 | Gently fold in shredded American cheese, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the spaghetti mixture. | 3 minutes |
| 7 | Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. Dot the top with small pieces of margarine for added richness. | 2 minutes |
| 8 | Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until bubbly and heated through. | 45 minutes |
Serving:
- Serve hot, straight from the oven, for a comforting and satisfying meal.
- Garnish with additional shredded cheddar cheese if desired.
- Pair with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a complete dinner experience.
Notes:
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated. Simply pop it in the oven when ready to serve!
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Feel free to customize this recipe by adding your favorite herbs or spices to the beef mixture.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 524.2
- Total Fat: 23.5g
- Saturated Fat: 10.6g
- Cholesterol: 59.9mg
- Sodium: 568.9mg
- Carbohydrates: 53.6g
- Fiber: 4.7g
- Sugar: 9.1g
- Protein: 26.1g
Recipe Story:
Imagine a time when a dollar had to stretch as far as possible to feed a hungry family. It was during the Great Depression, a challenging era that forced families to get creative in the kitchen. From these tough times emerged simple yet hearty recipes, like the “Roman Holiday Cheeseburger Spaghetti.”
This dish was first shared in a newspaper article on Columbus Day, a celebration of exploration and discovery. The name “Roman Holiday” pays homage to the resourcefulness of the recipe, conjuring images of simple pleasures and comforting flavors.
The foundation of this dish is humble yet satisfying. A bed of tender spaghetti, cooked to perfection, serves as the canvas for a savory blend of ground beef and onions. The addition of tomato puree adds a rich, saucy texture that coats each strand of spaghetti.
What truly sets this dish apart is the generous amount of shredded American cheese. As it melts into the beef and spaghetti mixture, it creates a creamy, gooey texture that’s irresistible. A sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese on top adds a delightful contrast of flavors.
Once assembled, the dish is baked to golden perfection in the oven. As it bubbles away, the aroma of melted cheese and savory beef fills the kitchen, signaling that a comforting meal is soon to be enjoyed.
Whether served for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, “Roman Holiday Cheeseburger Spaghetti” brings a taste of nostalgia and warmth to the table. It’s a reminder of simpler times, when a delicious meal could bring joy and comfort to even the toughest of days.
So gather your loved ones, set the table with care, and savor each forkful of this timeless recipe. “Roman Holiday Cheeseburger Spaghetti” is more than just a meal—it’s a taste of history and a celebration of resilience in the face of adversity. Enjoy! 🍝🍔✨
