Mom's Spaghetti Bolognese

This version of a classic Italian dish combines bacon with ground beef and canned crushed tomatoes in a sauce to be served over spaghetti.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 451 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons white sugar
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 3 slices bacon, diced
• 1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 0.25 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in spaghetti and return to a boil. Cook spaghetti uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes; drain.

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat; add bacon. Cook, turning occasionally, until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Add onion, celery, carrot, and oregano to bacon; continue cooking until vegetables begin to soften, 8 to 10 minutes. Add garlic; cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Crumble in ground beef; cook and stir until no longer pink and completely cooked, 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 3

Pour vinegar over ground beef mixture; simmer until liquid evaporates, about 5 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and sugar; bring to a boil, season with salt and black pepper, then remove from heat. Stir in basil .

Step 4

Spoon sauce over spaghetti; top with Parmesan cheese to serve.