Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Everyone has made countless versions of this. A.K.A. Bolognese sauce, to do a "proper" version usually requires browning meat and simmering for several hours.  However, families in a rush for their supper on a Tuesday night don't have 2-3 hours for this. You could open a can of Hunt's or whatever, but we don't have to stoop that low. You can get away without browning for starters. It does add a depth of flavour but you can (somewhat) substitute some minced bacon. As for the multiple hours of cooking, that is partly to fully release all the flavours blah blah, and partly to soften the meat which you probably just charred up during the browning process. Why not just omit the browning and simmer for 15 minutes? Works pretty darn well actually.

Meat sauce simmering away

Another secret to quick flavour here is sticking the veggies in the food processor. Once they are almost mushy, it will saute in no time flat. So two pots, 5 minutes of prep, and maybe 15 minutes cooking and you are done.

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Next Time: Well there is always the using fresh pasta thing.

Me: 8/10
SO: 8/10
SSO: 4/10

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
Ingredients

• 1lb of extra lean ground beef/pork/whatever
• 2 medium carrots, halved and roughly chopped
• 1 lrg celery stick, roughly chopped
• 1 lrg or 2 sm onions, roughly chopped
• a garlic clove, peeled
• large can of tomatoes
• sm can of tomato paste
• cup of whatever wine is in the fridge
• dried oregano, and maybe a few bay leaves

Method

1. Heat a large pot of water for the spaghetti. Add lots of salt after it boils.
2. Meanwhile, combine the veggies, the garlic clove, and a drizzle of canola or grapeseed oil in a food processor and run it until it is almost mushy.
3. Saute in a big pot for a few minutes, then add the ground beef. If the meat isn't lean, you'll end up with a fatty sauce and so will have to cook it separately. Cook until meat is done.
4. Add the can of tomatoes (if whole, cut with scissors while in the can), tomato paste, wine, oregano, plus some salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Halfway through the simmering, put the pasta in the boiling water.