Welcome to a taste of pure comfort and nostalgia with Makaroni po-flotski, or Navy-Style Pasta! This dish is a beloved classic from Eastern Europe, famous for its simplicity, heartiness, and delicious flavor. It originated as a practical meal for sailors, using non-perishable ingredients, but quickly became a staple in households everywhere. Our version takes this humble dish to the next level by enriching the classic ground meat sauce with a savory blend of carrots, celery, and tomatoes, creating a deeper, more complex flavor. It's the perfect, satisfying meal for a busy weeknight that the whole family will love.
Makaroni po-flotski — simple, tasty, and hearty
Ingredients for Makaroni po-flotski
- 350 g homemade ground meat (typically a mix of beef and pork)
- 110 g onion
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 110 g carrots
- 50 g celery
- 200 g canned tomatoes
- 50 g butter
- 280 g pasta
- pepper, salt, oil for frying
How to Cook Makaroni po-flotski
Pour a couple of tablespoons of refined vegetable oil into a pot, add finely chopped onion and minced garlic cloves.
Add onion and garlic to the vegetable oil in the pot
Following the onion and garlic, add grated carrot and celery root to the pot. Then, add a piece of butter and a pinch of salt to help the vegetables release their juices.
Add carrots, celery root, salt, and butter to the pot
Cook the vegetable mixture for the makaroni po-flotski (a classic and simple pasta dish with ground meat, popular in Eastern Europe) over medium heat for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are soft.
Next, add the homemade ground meat, which usually consists of a mix of pork and beef. If you prefer only beef or only pork, you can prepare the dish with just one type of meat.
Sauté the ground meat with the vegetables over high heat for a few minutes, stirring to prevent the meat from clumping together.
Then, add the canned tomatoes. Instead of canned tomatoes, you can use ripe red tomatoes, grated or finely chopped.
Simmer the vegetables for 10 minutes
Fry the ground meat with vegetables over high heat for a few minutes
Add the canned tomatoes
Cover the pot and simmer the sauce for the makaroni po-flotski over low heat for about 40 minutes. At the end, season with salt and pepper to your taste.
Simmer the sauce over low heat for about 40 minutes
Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain it in a colander. Mix the cooked pasta with the sauce. You can add a little of the pasta cooking water to the pot, just as Italians do when preparing pasta.
Mix the cooked pasta with the sauce
Thoroughly mix the ingredients for the makaroni po-flotski, and it’s ready to be served.
Makaroni po-flotski is ready to serve
Serve the prepared makaroni po-flotski in bowls, and sprinkle with fresh herbs and grated cheese to taste.
When serving, sprinkle the Makaroni po-flotski with herbs and cheese
And there you have it—a steaming plate of Makaroni po-flotski that’s sure to warm you from the inside out. This dish is more than just a meal; it's a piece of culinary history that brings comfort and satisfaction with every bite. Serve it hot, garnished with your favorite fresh herbs like dill or parsley, and a sprinkle of cheese. For a truly traditional experience, enjoy it with a side of pickles or a dollop of smetana (a type of sour cream). We hope you enjoy this updated classic and that it becomes a new favorite in your home!
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