HEARTY BOLOGNESE SAUCE

This bolognese sauce is quick, easy & delicious. It takes less than an hour to make & is full of flavor! You can serve it with garlic bread for a cozy night in Fall or lighten it up in the Summer with a fresh tossed salad. Hope you enjoy this Hearty Bolognese Sauce!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 yellow onion – chopped
• 2 carrots – chopped
• 3 celery stalks – chopped
• 3 garlic cloves – smashed
• 6 oz can tomato paste
• 12 oz marinara
• 12 oz water
• 3/4 cp milk
• 3/4 cp grated parmesan (fresh or store bought)
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil 
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 box rigatoni noodles

DIRECTIONS

Heat dutch oven over medium heat & add 2 tbsp of olive oil. When olive oil shimmers, add in your onion & garlic – cook for 8-10 minutes. Once the onion & garlic are fragrant, add in the carrots & celery – cook for 10-15 minutes or until they have softened.

While your vegetables are sautéing, in a medium pan, brown your beef. Once browned, drain fat from beef & add in the tomato paste, mix together & cook for 3-5 minutes.

Transfer the beef & tomato paste mixture into dutch oven with the vegetables. Add marinara, water, milk, spices & parmesan. Stir & let simmer for at least 30 minutes – until the sauce has thickened.

While the sauce is simmering, make your noodles.

Serve bolognese sauce over noodles & enjoy!

TIPS:

• You could let the sauce simmer for 1 hour – the flavors have more time to marry. Stirring occasionally.
• You could add the parmesan rind in & remove before serving – this will give it more of a creamy/cheesy flavor.
• You could serve this with whatever noodle you prefer.
• I like to serve homemade garlic bread with this dish.
• Store any extra in the freezer for up to 2 months.