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Quick Pasta Bolognese Sauce

The Toddler Go-To
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Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:1 hour
Keyword: bolognese, pasta, pasta sauce
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 500 g minced beef, or combination beef and pork for a milder sauce
  • 2 x 400g tins peeled or cherry tomato (with shrinkflation the number of tomatos in tins has dwindled, so I compensate by using two tins but that makes it quite saucy, which I like for freezing purposes, but you can use just one tin)
  • ½ cup white wine - or if you prefer, chicken stock. I don't mind the taste the wine brings to the dish and the alcohol steams off
  • 1 onion, diced (or can use celery)
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • ½ tbsp brown sugar
  • olive oil
  • herbs (dried and/or fresh - basil, oregano, parsley)
  • 1 carrot grated (optional)
  • 1 zucchini grated (optional)
  • salt, pepper

Instructions

  • In a little olive oil, fry onion till tender. Add optional vegetables if using and sautee until tender. Add garlic and fry till fragrant.
  • Add tins tomato including the juices.
  • Add wine (or stock), a sprinkling of dried herbs and sugar. Bring to boil, then lower heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes until the mixture is reduced.
  • Add meat, breaking it up well into the sauce.
  • Add tomato paste.
  • SHORTCUT - Simmer on a low heat for a minimum 15 minutes. MORE AUTHENTIC - Cover and simmer on a very low heat. It will taste better the longer you cook it, so anything up to an hour. If you feel at any point it's getting dry, you can add in a splash of wine/stock.
  • Season to taste. At this point, if it's not tomato-y enough for you, you can add in another tablespoon of tomato paste and cook for a further 5 minutes. Stir through fresh herbs.
  • Use with your favourite pasta (gluten free if required). The best pasta for a rich, meaty sauce is a tube shape like penne, or a thicker noodle like tagliatelle .. but you do you! Can also be served with potato mash.