Pasta Bolognese

When I'm wanting a big bowl of pasta, class pasta and meat sauce never fails. I made a quick and cheap bolognese and served it over whole wheat penne, but this sauce is a great match for whatever pasta you like! Serve with a big rip of warm, crusty bread and a glass of red wine, and this meal becomes ultimate comfort food.

Pasta Bolognese
Serves 2.

- 1.5 cups pasta (whichever you prefer- I used penne)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 stalk celery, rough chop
- 1 carrot, rough chop
- 1/4 yellow onion, rough chop
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced (depending on how much you like garlic)
- 1/4 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup jarred marinara sauce
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese

1. Cook pasta according to package.

2. In a food processor, finely chop the celery, carrot, onion, and garlic. (Roughly chop the vegetables before putting them in the food processor to help finely chop the veggies.)

3. Add olive oil to a saucepan, and sauté veggie mixture for about 2-3 minutes and season with salt and pepper. Add ground beef, and work the meat with a wooden spoon to break it up. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the beef is browned and cooked through. Add the marinara sauce and season with red pepper flakes and italian seasoning.

4. Top the pasta with the bolognese sauce and sprinkle parmesan cheese over top.
  *If you have fresh basil, it would be a perfect topper. 


Enjoy!