Big Batch Beef Sauce Food

BIG-BATCH SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain. Cook beef over medium heat in drippings until meat is no longer pink; drain. Remove beef and keep warm., In the same pot, saute the onions, peppers and mushrooms in oil for 5 minutes or until onions are tender. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes longer. , Stir in flour until blended. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, water, vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire sauce and seasonings. Crumble bacon; return bacon and beef to pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve with spaghetti.

BIG-BATCH BEEF SAUCE

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook beef, onions, celery and garlic until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender; drain. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Cool. , Transfer to freezer bags or containers, about 2 cups in each. May be frozen for up to 3 months.

BIG-BATCH MEATBALLS AND RED SAUCE

Steps:

• For the sauce: Swirl the oil and garlic in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the garlic is just lightly browned and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and 1 cup water, and bring to a high simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the basil and 2 teaspoons salt and simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.
• For the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Tear the bread into very small pieces and put it in a small bowl. Pour the milk over the bread, and let sit until the bread is soft, about 5 minutes.
• Combine the bread mixture with the beef, pork, Parmesan, eggs, onions, parsley, garlic, 2 teaspoons salt and red pepper flakes in a large bowl, and thoroughly mix with your hands. Divide the mixture evenly into 36 mounds, and roll each into a ball.
• Brush 2 rimmed baking sheets generously with oil. Evenly divide the meatballs between the sheets, and roll them around to coat in oil. Bake until golden brown and cooked through, rotating the sheets halfway through if needed, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Transfer the meatballs to the warm sauce, and cook for 5 minutes over medium-low heat. Let the meatballs and sauce cool completely, divide evenly among four 1-quart containers and freeze for up to 1 month.
• To reheat: Let a container of the meatballs and sauce thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Transfer them to a microwave-safe container, and microwave in 2-minute increments, gently stirring after each, until the meatballs are heated through.

BIG-BATCH SEASONED GROUND BEEF

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over high. Add one-quarter (1 lb.) of the ground beef in an even layer, using your hands to break up large pieces and leaving some gaps to encourage browning (instead of steaming). Season with 1 tsp. salt. Cook, undisturbed, until bottom is deeply browned, about 3 minutes. Turn and break into smaller pieces and cook until the other side is browned, 2-3 minutes. Push over to one side of pot. Repeat with another one-quarter (1 lb.) of ground beef, seasoning uncooked meat with 1 tsp. salt. Using a wooden spatula or spoon, break meat into smaller pieces and stir to combine.
• Season remaining 2 lb. beef with 2 tsp. salt, then add to pot and cook over medium heat, stirring often and breaking into small pieces, until all meat is cooked through and most (but not all) of the liquid is evaporated from bottom of pot, 12-15 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
• Do Ahead:
• Ground beef can be made 5 days ahead. Divide among airtight containers and chill, or freeze up to 3 months.

BIG-BATCH BOLOGNESE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a very large saucepan. Gently cook the bacon, onions, carrots and celery for 20 mins until golden. Add the garlic, herbs, bay and mushrooms, then cook for 2 mins more.
• Heat a large frying pan until really hot. Crumble in just enough mince to cover the pan, cook until brown, then tip in with the veg. Continue to fry the mince in batches until used up. Tip the tomatoes and purée in with the mince and veg. Rinse the cans out with the red wine, if you have some, or with a little water, then add to the pan with the vinegar and sugar. Season generously and bring to a simmer. Simmer slowly for 1 hr until thick and saucy and the mince is tender. Serve with pasta and parmesan.
• If you want to make this in a slow cooker, visit our slow cooker bolognese recipe.