Pasta Bolognese

Sometimes you just want the basics as in simple comfort food, like 'Spaghetti with Meat Sauce', ie Pasta Bolognese.  This is definetely one of those recipes you double so that you have one for dinner, and one for the freezer.

Virtually every Pasta Bolognese recipe has some variation of the same core ingredients; and, all of them are easy to make for a great meal with friends.  I have decided to feature Giada's version of 'Simple Bolognese' which is just that--super simple!

Just add salad and garlic bread. 

(Adapted from Giada's Cookbook 'Everyday Italian'.)

Equipment:

Large dutch oven or 5-qt saucepan.

Large saucepan for boiling pasta

Knife, for chopping

Chopping area

Stove top

Ingredients:

1-1/2 lbs of ground sirloin

1/4 cup olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

1 celery stalk, finely diced

1 carrot, finely diced

2-3 cloves of garlic, minced

28 oz of crushed tomatoes (like San Marzano or Cento)

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

8 fresh basil leaves, chopped

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/3 cup of Parmesan or Romano cheese, grated

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Prepare all of your vegetables before heating the skillet.

3. In a large saucepan or dutch oven, heat the oil at MEDIUM heat.

4. Add onions and garlic, and cook for 8 minutes until becomes translucent.

5. Add the carrots and celery, and cook another 4-5 minutes.

6. Add the meat and make sure it is broken into smaller pieces.

7. Brown the meat until the pink is gone, approx 10 minutes.

8. Add the crushed tomatoes, parsley, basil (I had to use 1 tsp dried instead), salt, and pepper.

9. Cook over MEDIUM-LOW heat until thickens, approx. 30 minutes.

10. Add the cheese and season to taste with salt and pepper.

11. Boil your pasta.

12. Invite a few friends to bring the salad and bread.