Easy bolognese sauce

When you’re short on time and ingredients you can put this delicious bolognese together quickly.

Easy Bolognese sauce topped with lots of Parmesan cheese

You can make this delicious sauce with just pantry staples. I prefer to bake the sauce low and slow in the oven for about an hour so I can do other things as it cooks. Or you can simmer it slowly on the stove top.

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef, natural grass fed preferably

Small onion (1/2 cup) diced

2 ribs celery, diced

1 carrot, shredded

1-2 cloves of garlic, finely diced

1 tbsp Italian seasoning or oregano

1 can (14.5 oz) whole or diced tomatoes

1 jar, (24 oz) tomato sauce, marinara

1 bay leaf

Red chili pepper flakes, to taste

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (or preferably use red wine if you have any leftover)

Salt and pepper

Olive oil for cooking

1 cup of water as necessary to thin the sauce

Cooked pasta, spaghetti or pappardelle

Instructions:

• Heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery and carrot (soffritto) and cook for several minutes until veg starts to soften.

• Add garlic and Italian seasonings. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, red wine vinegar (or wine) and season with salt and pepper.

• Stir and simmer for a few minutes allowing the flavors to blend. If it’s quite thick add about 1 cup of water. This will depend on the brand of sauce used.

• Cover and simmer on low for 30 minutes. Or transfer to an oven heated to 350 F. Bake in the oven for 50 minutes to an hour. Serve the sauce with cooked spaghetti or pappardelle pasta.