Meaty Marinara
Simple Bolognese
This sauce will not knock your socks off, but it will be delicious and simple! Simple enough for ANYONE in the family to learn! It also comes together in just 20 min 🕺
Ingredients
1 lbs ground beef
1 lbs Sweet Italian sausage*
Garlic to taste - we like a lot, about 3 large cloves, minced.
1 Tbs olive oil
1 jar Rao or your favorite Marinara Sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 tsp fennel seeds (crushed)
Crushed red pepper flakes to taste
I like to add a splash of white wines it cooks down, it gives a nice flavor (the alcohol is cooked out).
Fresh basil for garnish
Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
In a large skillet over medium high heat, brown the ground beef and the Italian sausage, breaking it up, till cooked through. Add the minced garlic, sauté another 5-7 minutes.
Empty the jar of marinara over the cooked meat, turn the heat down to medium low. If adding a splash of wine,(about 1/4 cup) do this now.
Add fennel and red pepper
Continue to cook for another 30 minutes, or simmer for an hour or more to develop and deepen the sauce. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy the aroma of the sauce as it simmers, this is aroma therapy.
Serve over ‘al dente’ cooked spaghetti noodles.**
Serve with a simple Big Green Salad
🍃 Garnish with fresh basil, cut with your Joyce Chen Scissors. Fresh basil is a must to bring brightness and another layer of goodness to your spaghetti!
When frozen, they require an additional 15-20 minutes in the oven. Pescatarian? Substitute a delicate white fish for the chicken, cooking time will be less. Serve with a squeeze of lemon 🍋
*(Sweet here means not spicy. If you like your sauce spicy, add red chili flakes later, making it Spaghetti Arrabbiata - Angry Spaghetti 😡).
**Did you know that you can prepare your spaghetti noodles 'al dente' ahead of time, toss them in a bit of olive oil, allow them to cool, store at room temperature?
In the cool of the morning you can prep your Red Sauce and your pasta 'al dente'.
In the evening, when ready to eat - everything is done! Simply place the pasta briefly in boiling water to reheat. Last September I hosted a Spaghetti Social for about 75 people, cooked all the pasta 'al dente' ahead of time. 💃🏻
Enjoy!