Quick Bolognese

A good meat sauce doesn’t need to cook all day to be delicious. This one can be made in under 30 minutes, and is a wonderful inexpensive weeknight meal.

The idea to use balsamic vinegar instead of red wine comes from Diane of Balanced Bites, who was there for me when I was having a “how can I make sauce without wine?!” crisis.

Quick Bolognese

1 onion, small dice
4 cloves garlic, sliced
1 pound ground beef (grassfed if possible)
12 ounces Italian sausage, removed from casings if in links (check ingredients!)
20-24 ounces jarred tomatoes
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
pinch salt
pinch red pepper flakes, if desired
1 tablespoon bacon fat

• In a large cast iron or stainless steel sauce pan, heat the bacon fat over medium heat.
• Add the onions and cook, stirring every minute or so, until fragrant and softened, about 7-10 minutes.
• Add the garlic and saute one more minute.
• Sprinkle in a pinch of salt.
• Add the beef and sausage, and break it up with a spatula as much as possible.
• Once the meat is browned, add the tomatoes. rosemary, red pepper flakes, and bring to a simmer.
• Turn the heat to low and allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes.
• When it’s nearly done, add the balsamic vinegar and simmer another minute or two.

Bolognese with zucchini noodles

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