Weeknight Pasta Bolognese

This is another "simple is better" recipe and using just a few ingredients will produce a warm and comforting dish. Bolognese sauce has its origins in Bologna, Italy and is primarily a meat and vegetable based sauce with surprisingly very little tomato added. This type of sauce benefits from a really long cooking time at a low temperature and is even better the next day.

Spaghetti Bolognese

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef

2 carrots, peeled

2 stalks celery

1 small yellow onion

3 cloves garlic

1 bay leaf

1 can good quality crushed tomatoes

1 dash extra virgin olive oil

Kosher salt/pepper to taste

Method:

1. Rough cut all the vegetables in a food processor (pulse)

2. Saute them with the olive oil and bay leaf.

3. Add ground beef and cook while breaking up into small pieces.

4. Add tomatoes, bring to a low simmer.

5. Add water when necessary to keep from burning or getting to thick.

6. Cook pasta till just done, drain and place into warm bowls.

7. After checking sauce seasoning ladle onto pasta and add grated Parmesan cheese.

Y=4-6

Tip: Use the hot pasta cooking water to pre-warm the bowls when you drain the pasta.