Que Pasta? Mexican Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Aired on: December 1, 2009, September 23, 2009

If you loved Rach's Ancho Beef Chili and Smoky Chicken Tortilla Soup, you'll love this twist on a classic favorite!

Ingredients

2 ancho chili peppers, stemmed and seeded
3 cups chicken stock
1 tablespoon EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3/4 pound ground beef
3/4 pound fresh chorizo
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, pasted (finely chopped then mashed with salt) or grated
1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
Salt and pepper
2 pinches cinnamon
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 12-ounce bottle Mexican beer, such as Dos Equis
1 pound spaghetti or whole wheat spaghetti
1/2 cup grated queso asadero, cotija or Jack cheese, plus more to pass at table
Finely chopped scallions, cilantro or parsley, to garnish

Yields: Serves 4

Preparation

Simmer peppers in stock for 15 minutes then purée stock and softened peppers in a food processor.

Meanwhile, heat EVOO in heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add beef and chorizo, brown 12-15 minutes then add onion, garlic, bay leaf, salt and pepper, and cook 8-10 more. Sprinkle in a little cinnamon then add tomato paste and cook 1 minute, stirring. Add beer, stir a minute more then add the stock and pepper purée. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.

While sauce simmers, bring water to boil for spaghetti. Salt water and cook pasta to al dente. Heads up: save a cup of starchy cooking water just before draining.