Our next FYBF Featured Flogger is a lovely lady whose blog I discovered last year. I finally had the opportunity to meet Kim of Spirited Mama in person at DPCON13. I pleasantly discovered that her charm and gentle nature is just as real as it is in her writing.

As always, please give our Featured Flogger lots of FYBF comment love. You can also follow Spirited Mama on Facebook
Man Spaghetti
I believe every woman deserves Man Spaghetti – spaghetti bolognaise made by a man, served by a man and cleaned up by a man.
Man spaghetti can be plated up by many varieties – by a husband, lover, father, brother, uncle, friend.
This recipe was created in the mad rush of a school night in the kitchen of one multi-tasking dad with two teenage kids. It’s fast, simple, and absolutely delish – and after personally testing, it got the thumbs up from one little fussy eater, too.
Despite its spicy touches, this recipe will not put hairs on your chest. What it will do is give the woman it is served to time out to do her nails, have a relaxing bath, breathe … what’s that you may ask? Go ahead, try some man spaghetti and find out. You’re worth it!
Bon appetite!
Man Spaghetti
2 tabs olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
500grams mince
1 cup finely grated carrot
1/3 cup tomato paste
1 tinned tomatoes
1 tab soy sauce (secret ingredient 1)
1 tab Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce (secret ingredient 2)
1 cup water or stock
½ packet spaghetti pasta
Tsp oil
Pinch of salt
Parmesan or grated cheese
In a heavy based frypan heat oil. Add onions and garlic, cook till soft, stirring. Add mince, cook till brown. Add carrot and ensure it’s cooked through till soft so no child can detect it’s a vegetable. Stir in tomato paste, tinned tomatoes. Add soy and Worcestershire sauces. Add water or stock and let simmer for 30 mins stirring occasionally.
To cook spaghetti, fill a large saucepan to ¾ with water. Boil water, add a teaspoon of oil to stop the pasta sticking and salt (optional). Add spaghetti. Stir to ensure covered with water. Cook with lid off for about 10 mins or until soft but firm (al dente).
Serve spaghetti in bowls, add bolognaise sauce and top with cheese.
Serves two adults, two teenagers and one child, or two adults and three children and four toddlers.
Image credit: ©flyingmiffy53.com/spiritedmama.com
1. Follow With Some Grace.
2. Sign up to the awesome Digital Parents community ( if you haven’t already done so). DP was created by Brenda Gaddi who happens to be the creator of FYBF. She’s also created 4 gorgeous kidlets. In case you’d like to know. Or maybe not. But we’ll share that info just the same.
3. Add your post URL to the linky. Please only link up one post.
4. Grab the funky FYBF button and post it on your sidebar. Help spread the blogfloggin love.
5. Visit the blogs of your fellow FYBF’ers and share the comment love.
6. Share some more comment love. It’s proven to make your wrinkles disappear…overnight. #truth
Man spaghetti! Actually it sounds a little bit like Alabama goulash that I haven’t made in ages! Will have to dust that one off, im sure the boys would actually like it!
iSophie recently posted..BTC – Behind the Camera – June 2013
Alabama goulash? You must share Sophie! This cld be the beginning of a new movement or even a book … 😉 I’m sure the boys will love Man Spaghetti – would love to see pics of it if u get around to it, Kimx
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
It’s true! Men make great spaghetti in my experience. My husband makes the best spag bol I have ever had. Truly. Love Kim’s work. Her website is beautiful. x
Zanni Louise recently posted..{Review} King Pig, Nick Bland
That’s great to hear Zanni, u r a lucky lady. And thank you for your support of my blog. I love your work too over at the little house of sunshine! Kim x
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
My daughter just asked why that man has spaghetti on his hand. Lol. Thanks for hosting, Grace. I will be sure to check out Spirited Mama.
Renee at Mummy, Wife, Me recently posted..Sisters
Your daughter sounds very sweet. Tell her the pic is a sign of things to come – that soon daddy will be doing the same thing 😉 x
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
*head* That’s the problem with blogging while you have your daughter distracting you 🙂
Renee at Mummy, Wife, Me recently posted..Sisters
Thanks for letting me link up Miss G
Welcome, Miss Bree! 😉
Love the idea of Man Spaghetti, particularly the cooking and cleaning parts 🙂 looking forward to checking out your blog Kim!
Kirsty @ My Home Truths recently posted..Update: The Organised Blogger
Yes, it comes as a whole package Kirsty – why stop at the cooking when u can get the cleaning and child-minding thrown in at the same time 😉 x
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
This looks awesome, although my husband is reading over my shoulder and thinks that man spaghetti is more like:
1. meat
2. a jar of pasta sauce
3. pasta
“and just mix that ‘sh** together.”
Guess who does 99.99% of the cooking in out house!? Honestly.
Thanks for hosting Grace!
natalia familia recently posted..a new camera!
Seriously – this is worth bottling. I love it!!!
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
Oh I love it! Spaghetti is one of the few dishes my man makes well actually (he does lots of other awesome things around the house, but cooking is not usually one of them). This sounds like a yummy spin on the old fave though. I might print this out and casually leave it sitting on his desk!
Lara @ This Charming Mum recently posted..On the day I didn’t attend a blogger meet-up
Good idea Lara – that way he will think its his idea … Behind every great man is a great woman! X
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
Grace thank you so much for featuring me – it”s such such an honour. I hope this Man Spaghetti formula brings you and the FYBF community some exquisite time-out moments. It was also a pleasure meeting you here and at the DPCON13, your grace certainly goes before you, Kim xx
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
You’re so very welcome, Kim! Hope to catch up with you again IRL! x
Those secret ingredients would do the trick, for sure! I’m sure you get lots of return visitors to your place, with waiters dressed like that 🙂
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..5 Good Things for You
Hehe, yes it’s hard to find good staff but he’s the deal. 🙂
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
I always get a little uncomfortable with these kinds of posts. I’m a bad cook, and I don’t like it, so my partner does a lot of the dinner load…so Man Spagetti is just pasta for dinner in our house….eep.
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Rave
Then u are one lucky woman Lydia – but seriously, this spaghetti is special and yummy – get yr hubbie to try it – and do the washing up,too as a treat 😉 xx
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
Hooray for Man Spaghetti! The kids fave is “spaghetti” … and my fave is “man”! My hubbie makes my breakfast, and I make his dinner … so I am not complaining 🙂 Cheers, Alison x
That’s a good deal – maybe you could do a post on man eggs hehe x
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
Love it! My husband does a wonderful sort of ragout arrangement for his bolognese sauce. Takes him freaking hours but it is totally worth it. Long live man spag! That sounds a bit gross doesn’t it!
Sarah @ Slapdash Mama recently posted..Ranting with The Lounge
Man spag yup in its short form it doesnt sound so sexy, a bit like man rag though for man ragout, which actually sounds awesome – u must share the recipe, Kim x
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
The boy makes a mean spaghetti too. Gotta ask him to cook it again soon! I think the last time he did was when I was in confinement haha
Ai Sakura recently posted..The Boy’s obsessions: BAPE 20th Anniversary @ Kyoto BAPE Exclusive, Japan
Think it’s about time the man saucepans came out again – before u know it little pumpkin will be 21 🙂 xx
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
Love a good spaghetti, and I love spicy food so this is great!! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Eva, it’s actually not very spicy but I guess it depends on the amount of Worcestershire added, this requires just a dash so kids will like it but you can go wild and spice it up if u like 🙂
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
I love when my partner cooks dinner. He is so much better at cooking than I am.
Tegan recently posted..I is for Inpatient
I think so often it comes down to time and occasion. Enjoy it – nothing better than having a home cooked meal made by yr honey. Kim
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
We love man spagetti in our house!! It’s the only dish Mr D knows how to cook!! x
Robyn (Mrs D) recently posted..Raw Chocolate Fudge Brownie Recipe (the healthy version)
Funny that hehe and meet he does it beautifully, Kim x
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
Love this Kim – in our household hubby is the specialty spaghetti man, although the vote is usually for Poppy’s spaghetti (My Dad’s). Hubby is good at hiding vegetables. But I might be stretching it if I expected clean-up done too….he/she who cooks doesn’t usually clean up (although the other night I made a lovely potato, leek & celery soup and hubby left remainder in saucepan on stove overnight when he was supposed to tidy up – not impressed). May have to tell him he owes me a spaghetti.
Kathy recently posted..Mid-winter madness (this is not a sale)
Good idea – and that’s part of why this man spaghetti is so cool – its a package deal, meaning it comes with prep and cleaning up 🙂
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
I don’t want to sound like I’m gloating but being married to a chef (not practising but once a chef always a chef) I have on many, many occasions indulged in man-spaghetti and it is as good as you describe here, Kim. Admittedly though, it’s usually me doing the cleaning up. Oh well, can’t have it all I suppose.
Leanne Winter recently posted..Growing (up) Pains
Gloat away Leanne – although I think if I was married to a chef I’d need to do a lot of running as I just love food – man spaghetti and the rest. Get him to do the cleaning up every now and then, that’s the secret to this recipe 😉
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
Not sure if cooking in the altogether passes OHS rules but that looks so delicious I don’t care how it arrives.
Rachel @ The Kids Are All Right recently posted..Social media does not make you a horrible person
Hehe, just makes it all the more more saucy 😉
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
Kim! Wow – I’ve only just found your new page and it’s STUNNING. Just beautiful. Man spaghetti? Sadly not in this house, but I’ll have it off a man plate???? x
Kim @Fallling Face First recently posted..A rave, a rant, and how to look jaunty in a tie.
Thank u so much kim, thats made my day. Well, I think man spaghetti can be made by any variety – dad, brother, lover or friend, and it doesn’t need to be at home either – there is a man spaghetti cuisine for everyone! xx
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
Great idea. Although, being the Italian in the family, “spag bol” is MY domain!!
Francesca recently posted..Thankful Thursday: Reaction
Ahh, then why not … Man Vindaloo 🙂
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
Oh this could be a series! Man Food!!!!
Alisha recently posted..Mums in Health – Featuring, wait for it…Jude Blereau!
There’s a book in that 😉
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
Thank u so much kim, thats made my day. Well, I think man spaghetti can be made by any variety – dad, brother, lover or friend, and it doesn’t need to be at home either – there is a man spaghetti cuisine for everyone! 🙂 xx
Kim @ Spirited Mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
We need a veggie version! I’ve just made a bol sauce which the kids will scoop up with corn chips tonight… do we have any corn chips? I’ve had a look at Kim’s Frenchs Treasures – very pretty things there.
Seana – Sydney, Kids, Food + Travel recently posted..Kids In The Park – 50 School Holiday Activities in Sydney
Of course – that’s easy Seana – just substitute the meat for grated zucchini, little pieces of broccoli and additional carrot, some corn, and any other veg … and don’t forget the secret ingredient – to have it made by a man! 🙂 thanks for visiting my treasure shop too. kimxx
Kim @ spirited mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
Popping in every so briefly to link up and off to the airport to collect my hubby who has been away all week on business. Promise to head back tonight and catch up on some blog reading!
Mystery Case recently posted..Fashionably early this Friday
Hi Ms Mystery – hope you made it to the airport on time – you must share this recipe with your hubbie 😉 x
Kim @ spirited mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
Think I’ll have to give this a whirl Kim, my hubby such a meat man, and spicy is right up his alley! I might even see if I can convince HIM to make it – although me thinks I’ll be pushing shit up hill! Love this pic BTW – very clever! Em
Emily @ Have a laugh on me recently posted..A tirade targeting twats, gits and Kim Kardashian
I reckon you can do it Ems – and thanks!
Kim @ spirited mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
Mr Banya is the cook in our household, so we have Man Spagetti about once a month or so. His secret ingredients are celery and pastrami. 🙂
Danya Banya recently posted..Things I Know
Nice! I love hearing these different versions of Man Spaghetti – it’s awesome. Pastrami and celery – very cool. x
Kim @ spirited mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
Relieved no man was harmed to make this spaghetti!
My Mr has gotten very good in the kitchen indeed over the past few years. Just as well, because I’m no kitchen maestro myself. No one starves though 🙂
Twitchy recently posted..The Boy Is More Than Okay
Haha – i guess that’s the most important thing isn’t it. I don’t make a bad Spaghetti Bol but when I tasted this one I did go back and adjust my recipe – this is simply divine.
Kim @ spirited mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
Spag bol is our go-to meal here and I’d thank the Italians for it any day of the week.
Dropping soy sauce in it? Who knew? I made a meat pie recently and dropped W’shire sauce in the mix. It was ah-mazing. I’ll try your secrets in my next batch. Your website looks lovely Kim. X
Robomum recently posted..My Favourite Ranter
Yay! do Robomum – amazing after all these years and discovering a new ingredient for such a staple. And thanks for popping over, Kimxx
Kim @ spirited mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
Great Recipe!! But actually Hubby does most of our cooking, and he is good at it 🙂
We love it when he cooks, and its such a treat cause our second son is now on washing up duty so it gives me a night off from the kitchen.
Lisa Wood recently posted..Love Walls
Man and Son Spaghetti – I love it. Kim x
Kim @ spirited mama recently posted..Every woman needs Man Spaghetti
My Family Loved it. I am definitely sharing Guys, Thanks For sharing this Great Recipe. this recipe and this website with my friend. Hope they also love it. Thank you again for sharing such a great recipe.