Hearty Beef Bolognese

Hearty Beef Bolognese
Recipe by Dragon

Homemade pasta deserves an amazing sauce and this Beef Bolognese is a perfect choice. For this version, I used all beef but you can make it with any combination of beef, pork or veal. It's a great make ahead sauce and one that actually tastes better the next day. Everyone loved the sauce. The kids kept sneaking little tastes when they thought we weren't looking. Enjoy!

Serves: 4-8

Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef
4 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup onions, finely chopped
1 large carrot, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
1 tablespoon garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 28oz can diced tomatoes, crush the tomatoes, keep liquid
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon dried hot pepper flakes
1 teaspoon Worcester sauce
1 1/2 cups beef stock
Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for a garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Sauté beef in olive oil over medium until evenly browned. Season with some salt and pepper. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside, keep warm. Drain all but 2 tablespoons of oil from the pan.

2. Add onion, carrots, celery and garlic. Cook until the onions are softened. Deglaze with the red wine. Cook until almost all liquid is absorbed.

3. Add tomatoes, paste, sugar, dried herbs, cinnamon, pepper flakes, Worcester sauce and beef stock. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 3 minutes.

4. Add the reserved beef and stir. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for about 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 hours. Check the seasoning and stir occasionally so the sauce won't burn. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. If using, stir in the parsley at the last minute as a garnish.