Salsa de carne y espaguetis con ternera picada y vino rojo (boloñesa)

Ingredientes

• 1 large onion
• 2 carrots
• 2 sticks celery
• 3 cloves garlic
• 4 oz bacon (finely chopped)
• 1 lb ground beef ((Note 1))
• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 3/4 cup red wine ((Note 2))
• 1 14 oz can crushed tomatoes ((Note 3))
• 2 cups beef broth (stock) ((Note 4))
• 2 tbsp tomato paste (puree)
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp dried oregano ((Note 5))
• salt and black pepper (to taste)
• 14 oz long pasta ((spaghetti, linguine, tagliatelle or parpadelle))
• grated Parmesan cheese
• finely chopped fresh basil

Preparación

1. 1

   Use a food processor to finely chop the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. (Note 6)

2. 2

   Place a large skillet or saucepan on a medium-low heat. Add the butter or olive oil and cook the finely chopped onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened. Then remove from the pan and set aside.

3. 3

   Place a large skillet or saucepan on a medium-high heat and fry the bacon until it gets crispy.

4. 4

   Add the ground beef and brown it over a high heat. Break it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks, but not too much so it browns properly.

5. 5

   Pour in the red wine and let it simmer for a few minutes until reduced by half.

6. 6

   Add the cooked carrot, celery and onion mixture, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and dried oregano. Simmer for 30 minutes until the sauce thickens and starts to look a little glossy.

7. 7

   Lower the heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.

8. 8

   --- Combining the sauce with the pasta (optional) ---

9. 9

   Cook the pasta until al dente in a large pot of generously salted boiling water.

10. 10

    Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining.

11. 11

    Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the meat together with a couple of tablespoons of the reserved pasta water.

12. 12

    Toss the sauce and pasta together on a low heat for a couple of minutes, adding a little more pasta water if the sauce needs extra moisture.

13. 13

    Serve immediately with freshly grated Parmesan and finely chopped basil.