Bolognese/ Meat Sauce a la Artie Bucco

Okay I'm no Artie Bucco, but I do have a passion for everything Italian, including Giada, wine, and of course Pasta.

Who doesn't love pasta? I know carbs are the enemy these days, but hey, pasta should be a staple in everyone's diet.

Now there are so many different forms of pasta, and that's why it is the Italian staple food, because anything and everything tastes good in pasta.

I'll be sharing many different pasta recipes on this site, but firstly I have TO start with the most important and versatile one, the mother of all sauces, and notably called "gravy" to Italians, the meat sauce, or Bolognese.

Now to begin, meat sauce does not have to be specifically ground beef, although it is the best, it can be substituted for ground chicken, turkey, even ground soy product or tofu.

What you'll need:

1 Lb ground beef
1 head of garlic, minced
1 large onion, finely diced
2 Carrots, finely diced

2 fresh tomatoes diced
2 stalks celery, finely diced

2 Cans/Jars of Tomato sauce
Bay leaves
Fresh thyme, basil, parsley

Chili flakes

Garlic powder

Oregano

Salt and Pepper

You favourite cheese: Asiago, Parmesan, etc...

For an added twist:

Add crushed olives, capers, hot peppers, roasted red peppers, sundried tomatoes

Sautee carrots, onion and celery until soft in olive oil and butter, then add beef until broken up, once browned, approx 3-5 minutes, then add garlic, chilli flakes, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper.

Then add tomato sauce, and fresh tomato (or a can of diced tomato).

Add herbs. Add extras for more flavour if you choose.

Allow to simmer for about 45 mins on low. You can also add any vegetables you like such as mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, etc. Always taste for seasoning.

Add your cheese at the end before serving.

Marone!

Tip: add a ladle full of pasta water (the water from your pasta that you just boiled) into your sauce, it will give your sauce that extra oomph, and will make it lighter if it's too thick.

Pasta Recommendations:

- Spaghetti (duh)

- Penne: it's great when the nuggets of meat get lodged into the pasta like little minner cannellonies

This sauce can be frozen in ziploc bags and defrosted as necessary. This is handy for those last minute meals on the go.

For best results, add your pasta to the sauce for a couple of minutes on low to get happy. This marriage will last until the last bite, I promise.