Feeding a family of seven with distinctly varying palates can be challenging. I've always said that I refuse to be a short order cook, preparing multiple meals for various family members to please their tastes. So instead I look for meals that can easily be customized, and pasta is always a great choice.
For the pickier members of the family, whatever pasta is on the menu tossed with a little butter and grated Parmesan-Reggiano is sure to please. And for the rest of the family, a delicious meat sauce, like this pasta alla bolognese, is always a winner. Pair it with this copy cat Olive Garden Salad for a real feast!
Traditionally, a bolognese sauce is simmered for hours to achieve its complex flavor. Hours to prepare a meal it typically not a luxury I have though, so I've cut my take on this classic down to just over 30 minutes of cooking time.
I also opted to use ground pork instead of ground beef for added flavor. Did you know that you can substitute ground pork in any recipe that calls for ground beef? Such an easy way to break out of a meal rut!
I like to serve my quick bolognese sauce over orecchiette pasta, but spaghetti, penne and fettuccine are all great choices, as well. However you serve it, there are sure to be smiles all around!
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 large carrot, chopped
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1-lb. ground pork
- 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
- 1/4 cup dry red wine
- 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
- 8 fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan-Reggiano
- 1-lb. package orecchiette pasta, cooked according to package
Instructions:
- Sautee onions, carrots, and celery in extra virgin olive oil until softened and translucent. Stir in garlic.
- Add ground pork and cook until done, breaking up any large chunks.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, basil, salt, pepper and red wine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 20 minutes. Remove cover and simmer for an additional 10 minutes or until it reaches the desired thickness.
- Stir in heavy cream and heat through.
- Toss orecchiette pasta with the bolognese sauce and Parmesan-Reggiano, and serve immediately.
Now, our family has always been a fan of pork, but here's a reason to love it just a little bit more... I discovered that the Ohio Pork Producers Council (OPPC) has donated more than 750,000 meals of nutritious pork to Ohio food banks since 2009. Pretty amazing, huh?
What's more -- YOU can help Ohio food banks receive additional donations of pork by watching this cute "Pork from Fork to Farm" video produced by OPPC. For each view, OPPC and its partners will donate one pound of ground pork to Ohio’s food banks.
I hope you'll take a moment to view this video right now!
Need a few more ideas for using ground pork? Check these out:
- Lasagna Soup by Shugary Sweets
- Sweet and Spicy Pork Lettuce Wraps by Wenderly
- Cilantro Soup with Hominy and Pork by Cooking With Caitlin
- Ginger Teriyaki Sliders by Lucrecer
Disclosure: I received compensation from the Ohio Pork Producers Council for the time and effort spent creating this post. However, my participation in this program is voluntary and my opinions are my own -- always have been, always will be.
Tara Kuczykowski is a married mom of three boys and two girls, ages 4 to 10 years, living in Columbus, OH.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh does this sound delish! Love meeting other Ohio bloggers! Fun to be supporting this cause with you!
Amazing. I am looking forward to trying this. So glad to have found your blog through this project.
This gets my little Italian heart pumping!
YUM. Happy to have found you through this campaign!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted… Lasagna Soup
I just made some hearty meat sauce last week and for the first time, added Italian sausage and what a difference it made. I’ll never go back!
Cassie | Bake Your Day recently posted… Pantry Organization 101
I always add pork to my sauce. Makes the BEST! Great post Tara!
Sandy @ RE recently posted… A Good Time at Dinner with Light Lemon Cheesecake Mousse
It doesn’t get much better than a bolognese sauce.
Paula – bell’alimento recently posted… Spiced Roasted Ham with Glaze + {GIVEAWAY}
This looks like a great weeknight meal. Bolognese = heaven. The end.
Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet recently posted… Kaufmann Mercantile – Walnut Cutting Board Review
Love the ground pork tip!! For some reason I had forgotten you are a family of seven… we will be in a couple months too! You are amazing girl… everything you do and you do it so well! :)
Amanda recently posted… Blueberry Breakfast Cake
I am so excited for you, Amanda! I loooovvvveee babies, but I don’t think my poor body could take another.
This looks beautiful! I love bolognese!
Ali | Gimme Some Oven recently posted… Thai Peanut Sauce
I adore pork sausage in so many things, it adds great flavor. Your dish sounds delish!
Brenda @ a farmgirl’s dabbles recently posted… Whoopie Pies with Fluffy Peanut Butter Marshmallow Cream