This recipe for Greek-Style Meat Sauce {Makaronia Me Kima} is a 30-minute dish full of authentic flavors – fresh mint, cinnamon & allspice.
Makaronia Me Kima
In Greece, this dish is called Makaronia Me Kima, which simply translates as spaghetti with meat sauce. I didn’t use spaghetti, but this recipe uses all the authentic flavors you’d expect in Greek food.
What Meat For Greek-Style Meat Sauce {Makaronia Me Kima}
Growing up, we had a close family friend from Greece who made this all the time. She used ground lamb, but most recipes call for beef which is what this recipe calls for. I prefer lamb, If you haven’t tried it – give it a try! The flavors are delicious!
This quick and easy recipe is a delicious homemade pasta sauce made with simple ingredients that are probably already in your pantry and your fridge.
Why this recipe works:
- The traditional Greek ingredients of fresh mint, cinnamon, and allspice give this dish a flavorful richness.
- It’s a simple recipe that’s quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknight meals.
- Using fresh ingredients, rather than jarred sauce makes this recipe a much healthier option.
How to make Greek-Style Meat Sauce {Makaronia Me Kima}
Start with cooking the onion until soft, add the garlic, followed by the cinnamon, allspice, ground cloves, and dried oregano. Cook to release the flavors.
Add the meat.
Fry until fully cooked and no pink shows at all in the meat (about 8 minutes). Add the tomato paste and stir into the meat.
Fry another minute and stir in the wine and allow to cook down.
Add the tomatoes, sugar, parsley, and fresh mint.
Stir together, season with salt and pepper.
Lower the heat and simmer for 25 minutes.
Serve over pasta and enjoy!
Other Pasta Dishes You’ll Love
Cook’s Tips:
- This recipe calls for ground beef, but authentic recipes would call for lamb. You could easily use ground pork or turkey too.
- The longer you simmer, the deeper the flavor, so if you have the time, cook the sauce longer and add a little water if it gets too thick.
- For a more authentic combination, instead of serving with Parmesan cheese, try using Greek Mizithra cheese.
- For a low-fat option, try dry frying the meat and adding cooking spray when adding the onions and garlic.
- Different regions of Greece use varied ingredients. Other options are adding cayenne pepper, ground cloves, bay leaves or topped with mozzarella cheese.
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Let's Make Greek Style Meat Sauce {Makaronia Me Kima}
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large red onion chopped or sliced
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ cup white wine or red wine
- 28 oz can crushed or pureed tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 4 leaves fresh mint chopped
- fresh parsley (a good handful) chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ lb pasta
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Cook the onion until soft, add the garlic, followed by the cinnamon, allspice, ground cloves, and dried oregano. Cook to release the flavors.
- Fry until fully cooked and no pink shows at all in the meat (about 8 minutes). Add the tomato paste and stir into the meat.
- Stir in the wine and allow to cook down.
- Add the tomatoes, sugar, parsley, and fresh mint. Stir together, season with salt and pepper.
- Lower the heat and simmer for 25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and serve topped with the sauce.
Slow Cooker
- Follow the stovetop instructions through step 4. Then transfer to a slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Tips + Notes
- This recipe calls for ground beef, but authentic recipes would call for lamb. You could easily use ground pork or turkey too.
- The longer you simmer, the deeper the flavor, so if you have the time, cook the sauce longer and add a little water if it gets too thick.
- For a more authentic combination, instead of serving with Parmesan cheese, try using Greek Mizithra cheese.
- For a low-fat option, try dry frying the meat and adding cooking spray when adding the onions and garlic.
- Different regions of Greece use varied ingredients. Other options are adding cayenne pepper, ground cloves, bay leaves or topped with mozzarella cheese.
Nutrition Information:
Update Notes: This post was originally published on Apr 17, 2017, but was republished with a slight change in recipe, step by step instruction photos, a new video, and tips in February of 2019.
Cindy Gordon says
What a delicious sauce for any pasta! This would go great inside lasagna too.
Erren's Kitchen says
That is an awesome idea!
Katerina @ diethood .com says
Such an incredible pasta dish!! YUM!
Chrissie Baker says
I have to try this! Looks amazing! Perfect. Thank you for sharing this great recipe.
Mahy Elamin says
Oh yum! This is a good idea and amazing recipe too. Something very unique and colorful. Need to try it out.
Maria says
I tried this recipe for the first time last week. I made 4 times the amount & it fed 14 people & we had some leftover. It went down so well, no one had tried this before & loved it. I made it with turkey breast mince last night as a healthier alternative & cannot wait to have dinner tonight! This recipe is one of the tastiest Greek bolognaise! I have tried other variations but this is my favourite.
Erren's Kitchen says
Hi, Maria That’s so awesome to hear I’m glad you all enjoyed it!
Debbie says
In my search for a greek-style pasta sauce, I am so glad I tried your recipe! I made it exactly as posted, and I will never settle for anything else.
Erren says
Hi Debbie, That’s so great to hear! 🙂
Georgia says
In Greece we put clove too , which is really important for that dish . In fact if you have dried oregano , cinnamon and clove you can cook almost any greek dish . Also for the perfect Makaronia me kima , you have to put grated greek cheese on top of your spaghetti . And if you know this recipe you can make pastitsio or mousaka !!!!!!!
Erren says
That’s great feedback, Georgia. I’ll keep that in mind for creating future recipes!
Nick @ GreekBoston.com says
Greek style meat sauce is very different from other tomato based meat sauces because of the spices that are used. Cinnamon and allspice are both commonly used in Greek cooking but I also find that omitting one or the other is still authentic. It all depends on your preferences.
Erren says
That’s great feedback, Nick! Thanks so much! 😊
Thanh | Eat, Little Bird says
Oh my, I just had breakfast but now I know what I want for dinner tonight! This looks amazing! My kids love this curly pasta, so I might use that too. Yum yum!
Erren says
Thanks so much for the comment, Thanh! 🙂 Hope you like it!
Tara says
This is one of our family favorites! I make it all the time! Thanks so much for the recipe!