Bolognese Sauce

One of my childhood favorites for a warm and comforting meal!

Picture this: you're a kid in your childhood bedroom. It's Sunday, you just woke up from a long nap, and there is an incredible smell coming from downstairs. You follow your nose into the kitchen, the smell gets stronger and even more delicious. You make your way to the stove and you see it: THE SAUCE. You make a little bowl (an appetizer before dinner right?), and you're in heaven.

This sauce was a defining dish for me growing up. I looked forward to it whenever Dad mentioned he would make it. It was one of the first recipes I made on my own in my little apartment in college, and it never failed to transport me back to those childhood days.

This sauce originated from a little cookbook my parents received on their wedding, which is now proudly in my possession. I've made a few adjustments as I've expanded my own cooking skills, and it's only made it more delicious.

This is hearty, flavorful, and packed with protein. It takes a little bit of time, but the result is well worth it in the end. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as my family does!

Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 lb ground italian sausage

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 medium onion

• 3 carrots, peeled

• 3 celery stalks

• 3 cloves of garlic

• 1 tsp italian seasoning

• 1-2 tbsp tomato paste

• 2 28oz cans crushed tomatoes

• 1/2 cup beef stock

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 2 bay leaves

• basil for garnish

Instructions:

• Prepare your vegetables first. Using a box grater, grate your onion, carrots, celery, and garlic into a mixing bowl. (If you don't have a box grater, you can also shred or chop these, but I find when you grate them they practically melt into the sauce.)

• Heat a dutch oven or stock pot on the stove. Cook your ground beef and italian sausage. When it is done, transfer the meat to a bowl with a slotted spoon.

• Remove most of the excess grease from the pan, but leave behind about a tablespoon.

• Return the pot to the stove and bring to medium heat. Add olive oil and vegetables. Cook until they are tender.

• Add italian seasoning and cook until fragrant, about a minute or two.

• Add tomato paste and stir until it is coating the vegetables.

• Add crushed tomatoes, beef stock, and salt. Mix well and taste, adjusting seasonings as needed.

• Add cooked meat and stir until it is mixed in.

• Bring the heat to simmer and place bay leaves on top. Cover and cook for at least 2 hours, but can cook all afternoon until dinner. Stir occasionally throughout.

• I like to serve this with GOOD noodles, GOOD cheese, and lots of sliced basil. This dish is about enjoying something slow cooked with love, and it should nourish your soul just as much as it nourishes your body.

Will you give this recipe a try too? Please let me know in the comments or if there are any other requests you'd like to see me make!