Easy Bolognese Sauce

Aside from being chock-full of veggies, this perfect pasta pairing is a great opportunity for older kids to practice chopping skills. (Parents, supervise closely, and be ready to step in for finer chopping and mincing.)

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

1 small onion, finely minced

1 garlic clove, finely minced

1 celery stalk, finely chopped

1 large carrot, finely chopped

1lb lean ground beef

1 can crushed tomatoes (796 ml/28 oz)

1/8 cup fresh oregano, chopped

¼ cup fresh basil, cut into ribbons

½ tsp pepper

1 tsp salt

1 parmesan rind (optional)

1 Tbsp tomato paste

1 can tomato sauce (796 ml/28 oz)

¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add the onion and cook until the soft—about 8–10 minutes. Add the garlic, celery, and carrot, and sauté for 5–8 minutes.

Increase the heat to just above medium, and add the ground beef. Cook the meat until lightly browned, breaking up any large clumps.

Add the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, parmesan rind (if using), tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Lower the heat and cook over medium-low until the sauce starts to simmer. Continue simmering for 30 minutes.

Remove parmesan rind and serve over pasta with grated parmesan cheese.

Tip! Save your parmesan cheese rinds! These store well in the freezer, and are great add-ins for soups and sauces. (Plus, you’ll have one at the ready for the next time you make this recipe.)