Instead of a typical 9-5 Monday to Friday, I get my 40 hours done in 4 days. That extra weekend day really comes in handy! But by the end of those four workdays I am so tired and just want something easy but comforting. Spaghetti bolognese is a classic dish that I turn to week after week. But during the week I don’t have the time to really make it the way it deserves to be made. This is where a pound of ground meat and a jar of tomato sauce kick off a delicious dinner that can still be customized and dressed up in less than half the time! In under an hour I’m seated in front of the soul warming meal I needed. It might not be the most authentic but it is certainly one of the most delicious.

At its core you only need three ingredients for a good time. You have a meat of your choice. I prefer a good quality ground beef on its own but it blends wonderfully with ground Italian sausage! With just a few seasonings and some fresh garlic and onion you can make your layer of flavor have the depth it deserves. Next of course comes the sauce. The options can seem truly overwhelming but if you find a favorite it can make this part simple. I use my grocery stores home brand organic garlic lovers pasta sauce. Last but not least the easy peasy pasta queen, spaghetti noodles. Boiling them in salted water ensures every component is seasoned for layers of flavor. So without further ado, let's get into the fun stuff.

Weeknight Bolognese

Yield: 4 large servings

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

½ cup diced yellow onion

2 cloves of garlic

1 lb ground beef

½ tsp dried mustard

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp onion powder

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 jar of tomato sauce of choice

16 oz spaghetti noodles

Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium low heat.
Add your onions and cook them until they are soft and translucent. About 5-7 minutes.
Add your garlic and saute for about 30 seconds.

Add your meat and cook until browned all the way through.

While the meat is cooking add all the spices.

Once the meat is thoroughly browned, add your tomato sauce and mix.

Let it simmer while you cook the pasta.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with a heavy pinch of salt

Once it is boiling, add your noodles and cook until they’re tender. About 8 minutes

Drain your pasta and you’re ready to serve!

Pro tip: If you’ve got carrots lying around shred them and cook them with the onion. This will add a touch of sweetness and some nutrients. Add a couple of handfuls of spinach to the sauce 5 minutes before dishing it up to serve for some extra veggies in your day.

Want a kick? Add some red pepper flakes in with the other seasonings!

What to serve it with:
A rich pasta dish like this pairs beautifully with a simple caesar salad.

Crusty garlic bread or a soft focaccia are great for soaking up any extra sauce.

Red sauce pairs great with a red wine like a medium bodied Chianti.

For some fun variations:

Swap the beef for lentils for a high protein vegetarian option.
Feel free to swap the beef for ground turkey for a leaner option thats still filling and meaty.

Beyond the Jar: Bolognese the Easy Way

Hester