BBQ Spaghetti

I'm always amazed when parallels, cooking coincidences and similar ingredients arise out of two different, unrelated cuisines.

I discovered such a parallel recently after watching a newly introduced series on the Food Network called Down Home With the Neelys.

The Neelys run two family businesses in Tennessee and they are famous for their ribs and other southern US delights. The Neelys were first introduced to the TV world when they appeared alongside Paula Deen in one of her own shows.

I caught an episode where they made what they called a BBQ Spaghetti. From the ingredients listing, it's obvious as to where the name came from....the BBQ sauce.

You're probably wondering...WTF...where's the parallel (here we go...chillax). My dad loves spaghetti and meat sauce. My dad also likes practically all of his food spicy (hot).

Since my dad finds even the most ornate sauce to be bland due to his spicy tastes, he would crank up the heat and flavours to make his own BBQ Spaghetti. This pasta is for those that like it spicy.

When one eats a forkful of this spaghetti, you taste the smoky Chipotle, the hint of hickory from the BBQ sauce, a twinge of lemon peel and a warm, garlic flavour that's rounded out by a nice, sneak up and say, "BOO" kinda heat.

You may use The Neely's approach or try my dad's. All you need is some decent BBQ sauce, a homemade Bolognese sauce and some chopped vegetables and everyday condiments to make this zesty, party in your mouth kinda spaghetti.

BBQ Spaghetti
(for 4)

1 medium onion, diced
1 cubanelle pepper, cut into thin slices
1/3 cup olive oil
1 wide strip of lemon peel, thinly sliced
1 whole chili, minced
3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
(+ 3 more cloves, reserved for the end)
2 Chipotle peppers in Adobo, minced
Approx. 3 ladles of meat sauce
1/2 cup good BBQ Sauce (Bulls Eye) 1/4 cup Ketchup
1 Tbsp. dry oregano
Hot sauce
Squeeze of lemon juice
Grated Parmesan or Romano
salt & pepper (if needed)

1. In a large pot, get your water boiling and and that point, generously salt and boil your spaghetti according to package's instructions.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add your onions, 3 minced cloves of garlic, green pepper, chili, Chipotle peppers, lemon peel and saute while stirring for about 5 minutes for the veggies to soften.
3. Now add your meat sauce and stir over medium heat to warm through. Now add your BBQ sauce and ketchup and stir to warm through.
4. Use this moment to adjust the taste of the sauce to your liking. If you'd like it more bold, ad some more BBQ sauce. Like it sweeter, add a little ketchup. Like it spicier? Add a few drops of hot sauce. Is the sauce too sweet? Give it a squeeze of some lemon juice.
5. When your pasta is cooked, drain and add the spaghetti to your BBQ meat sauce. While tossing the pasta and the sauce, add your dried oregano and remaining 3 cloves of minced garlic and toss until the spaghetti is coated with the sauce.
6. Serve with grated Parmesan or Romano cheese.

Print this post