Classic Spaghetti Bolognese

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 ounces pancetta, finely diced
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1 large carrot, finely diced
• 1 large rib celery, finely diced
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 8 cloves garlic, pressed
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup white wine
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 10 ounces uncooked spaghetti
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, plus extra for garnish
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or braising pan over medium heat. Add diced pancetta and cook until golden, about 3 minutes.
2. Add diced onion, carrot, and celery to the pan along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 6-7 minutes until vegetables are golden and soft.
3. Crumble in the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned with little to no liquid in the pan.
4. Stir in pressed garlic, Italian seasoning, and dried oregano until aromatic. Add tomato paste and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
5. Pour in white wine and crushed tomatoes. Season with more salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid slightly askew, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
6. While the sauce simmers, cook spaghetti according to package instructions and keep warm.
7. Once the sauce is done, turn off the heat and stir in heavy cream and chopped parsley. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
8. Add warm spaghetti directly into the sauce and gently toss to combine.
9. Serve with freshly grated parmesan cheese on the side and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Tips & Variations:

• Use all ground beef or a combination of ground beef, pork, and veal.
• Omit pancetta if preferred.
• Substitute dry red wine for white wine or omit altogether.
• Experiment with different pasta shapes such as pappardelle.
• Use milk instead of cream if desired, adjusting the quantity accordingly.