Makaronia Me Kima: A Traditional Greek Style Spaghetti in Meat Sauce (Bolognaise Style)

 "Makaronia me Kima", which literally means in Greek spaghetti with minced meat, is basically similar to spaghetti with Bolognaise sauce. 

As it is straightforward to make and a beloved dish to both adults and children, "makaronia me kima" is one of the most popular dishes in Greece. To make this traditional Greek-style spaghetti in meat sauce you need the following ingredients: spaghetti, minced meat, olive oil, onion, garlic clove, bay leaf, tomatoes, salt, pepper, and of course salt-dried myzithra. It is the myzithra that will melt with the hot sauce will melt the cheese and make this spaghetti so delicious! Lately, I have been using graviera instead of myzithra. Both of them are equally delicious. 

Mizithra or myzithra (μυζήθρα in Greek) is a popular whey cheese or mixed milk-whey cheese from sheep or goats, or both. You can find this cheese, either fresh or as a salt-dried grating cheese in any local Greek food store. 

This makaronia me kima recipe takes only 15 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook. It serves 6 people.


Makaronia me Kima - Ingredients

  • 3 - 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 large onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 300 grams (10.5 oz) minced beef
  • 1 bay leaf
  •  5 ripe tomatoes or 1 tin - 500 grams (1.1 lbs), tomatoes puréed with1 a tablespoon of tomato paste 
  • Salt 
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cinnamon stick 
  • 1 packet - 500 grams (1.1 lbs) spaghetti
  • Salt-dried myzithra, finely grated.

Makaronia me Kima - How to Make

  1. Take a food processor and purée the onion and garlic with half the olive oil.
  2. Take a saucepan, add and heat the remaining olive oil.
  3. Sauté the onion mixture for a few minutes. 
  4. Add the minced meat and mix until it changes color to white. 
  5. Add the bay leaf, salt, pepper, and cinnamon stick. 
  6. Simmer for 2 – 3 minutes. 
  7. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, and some water and simmer for about 45 minutes, until the sauce is thick.
  8. Discard bay leaf and cinnamon stick.
  9. Boil the spaghetti according to package instructions and drain.
  10. Serve the spaghetti on each plate.
  11. Then, sprinkle a tablespoon of cheese on top of pasta or over meat sauce and mix.

This makaronia me kima recipe is quite easy to follow. Enjoy!