Classic Italian Meat Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 4 ounces (113g) pancetta, finely chopped 4 ounces (113g) pancetta, finely chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, finely chopped 2 carrots, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 pound (450g) ground beef 1 pound (450g) ground beef
• 1 cup (240ml) red wine 1 cup (240ml) red wine
• 2 cans (14 ounces each) crushed tomatoes 2 cans (14 ounces each) crushed tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) tomato paste 1 tablespoon (15ml) tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 22g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 12g, 6g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add pancetta and cook until crispy.
2. 2.
   Add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pan. Sauté until vegetables are softened.
3. 3.
   Increase heat to medium-high and add ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
4. 4.
   Pour in the red wine and let it simmer until reduced by half.
5. 5.
   Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
6. 6.
   Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
7. 7.
   Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pancetta — If pancetta is not available, you can substitute it with bacon for a similar flavor profile.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, let the sauce simmer for even longer, up to 4 hours.
• Use a combination of ground beef and ground pork for a more complex taste.
• Serve the sauce over al dente pasta for the perfect texture.

Serving advice

Serve the Classic Italian Meat Sauce over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti or tagliatelle. Top it with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil for an extra burst of flavor.

Presentation advice

Garnish the dish with a sprig of fresh basil and serve it in a deep pasta bowl to showcase the rich colors of the sauce.