Second Time Around Beef Sauce For Pasta Food

PASTA WITH MEAT SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add the oil. When hot, add the meat and cook, without stirring, until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Break it up with a wooden spoon, then add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until starting to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a simmer. Add the crushed tomatoes and oregano and season with salt and pepper. Simmer until thickened and the flavors come together, about 1 hour.
• About 20 minutes before the sauce is done, bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt liberally. Drop in the pasta, give it a stir and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. Remove from the heat, toss in the cheese and serve.

SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE SAUCE (BEEF AND ITALIAN SAUSAGE)

Steps:

• Brown ground beef, season to taste with salt and pepper, drain and set aside.
• Cut link sausage up into meatball size pieces, brown, drain, and set aside. I use Thomasville Hot. If making sauce for lasagna, remove sausage from casings and brown with the ground beef.
• Sauté garlic, onion, and bell pepper in olive oil, just until the onions are translucent.
• Add meat, tomato sauce, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, herbs and spices, mushrooms, sugar, and wine. I use fresh mushrooms, and a red burgandy for a deeper earthy flavor. Omit mushrooms if making sauce for lasagna.
• Simmer on medium low for at least one hour, stirring occasionally.
• When ready to serve, mix corn starch with water and add to sauce, along with both cheeses to thicken.
• When cheese is incorporated, and sauce has thickened, serve over your choice of pasta or use as a meat filling for lasagna.

SPAGHETTI SAUCE WITH GROUND BEEF

Steps:

• Combine ground beef, onion, garlic, and green pepper in a large saucepan. Cook and stir until meat is brown and vegetables are tender. Drain grease.
• Stir diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste into the pan. Season with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer spaghetti sauce for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

PASTA WITH 15-MINUTE MEAT SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente; drain and transfer to a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, process onion, celery, carrot, and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over high. Add chopped vegetables, beef, and pork and cook, breaking up with a spatula, until meat is beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, oregano, 3/4 tsp. salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 1 minute. Add wine and cook, stirring constantly, until reduced by half, about 1 minute more. Stir in tomato sauce, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until sauce is slightly thickened, about 4 minutes.
• Remove from heat, then stir in butter. Toss meat sauce with pasta, top with Parmesan, and season with pepper.
• Do Ahead
• Let sauce cool, then chill in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

SLOW COOKED BEEF IN PASTA SAUCE

Steps:

• Trim excess fat from beef and season with black pepper.
• Heat the oil in a heavy based pan and cook the onion and garlic until tender-about 5 minutes. Remove.
• Add the beef to the pan. Turn, browning well all over.
• Add the remaining ingredients (except the pasta) and stir to combine. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
• Cover and cook for 2 1/2 hours then remove meat to a warmed covered plate.
• Increase heat under sauce and cook without a lid for 15 minutes or until reduced to a sauce consistency. Season with more black pepper if you wish.
• Slice the meat and return to the sauce; serve over genrous portions of cooked pasta.