minced meat sauce with pasta

Here’s a classic recipe for Minced Meat Sauce with Pasta (Bolognese-style), featuring rich, flavorful ground meat simmered in tomato sauce, served over your favorite pasta.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 carrot, finely grated
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ½ cup red wine (optional)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lb (450g) pasta (spaghetti, penne, or tagliatelle)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta:
   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
   • Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Sauté the Vegetables:
   • Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
   • Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery, and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened.
   • Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Brown the Minced Meat:
   • Add the ground beef (or beef and pork mix) to the skillet.
   • Cook until browned, breaking it up into smaller pieces with a spatula, about 5-7 minutes.
   • Season with salt and pepper.
4. Add Wine (Optional):
   • If using red wine, pour it into the skillet to deglaze the pan, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom.
   • Allow the wine to simmer for 3-4 minutes until it reduces slightly.
5. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings:
   • Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes (or tomato sauce), dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat.
   • Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper as needed.
6. Toss with Pasta:
   • Once the sauce has thickened and developed flavor, toss it with the cooked pasta until well coated.
7. Serve:
   • Serve the pasta in bowls, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley or basil.

Enjoy your delicious pasta with rich, savory minced meat sauce!