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Do you need a meal that is filling, takes less than an hour to make, can feed several people and does not cost an arm and leg? On days when I need that kind of meal I go for pasta. Cheap, filling, and always tasty. Who doesn't like a good heartwarming bowl of pasta? Tonight, I am making a modified ragu sauce on top of rotini. This dish continues to be one of my go to cheap meals as it makes a lot of food so can either feed a full family, or in my case, provide leftovers for most of the week.
What exactly is a ragu? Well, if you have ever had a thick and hearty meat sauce on your pasta chances it was a ragu. Characterized by being tomato based with ground beef my version of a ragu includes carrots, celery, onion, jalapeno, and garlic in a tomato sauce.
Start by browning approximately one pound ground beef. Season this in your preferred method, tonight I used Grandpa Lynn's all purpose seasoning as it is currently what I have sitting in my cupboard. Remove the browned beef and place in a bowl to side, gone but not forgotten. Add a little olive oil to the pot used for the beef and add the sliced veggies. To the veggies add approximately three tablespoons of Italian seasoning and three tablespoons of garlic. When the onions are translucent add the ground beef, two cups red wine, one can diced tomatoes and one large can of tomato sauce. A few minutes in remember to taste the sauce. At this point add any additional seasoning to create the taste you desire. Personally, now is the time to add a little black pepper and some crushed red pepper. Simmer on low until carrots are cooked but still firm. Spoon directly on to your favorite cooked pasta, and top with cheese. As a tip to reduce your overall time in the kitchen, be sure to boil the noodles at the same time your sauce is cooking. Starting the rotini at approximately the same time I began to simmer the sauce had both parts done at the same time. You can also pre cut the veggies and store in the fridge to save time when preparing dinner.
This tasty meal will feed me most of a week :)
1 pound seasoned ground beef
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 sliced carrots
3 sliced celery stalks
1\2 yellow onion sliced
1 sliced jalapeno
3 tablespoons minced garlic
3 tablespoons itialian seasoning
2 cups red wine
1 can diced tomatoes
1 large can (29oz) tomato sauce
black pepper
crushed red pepper
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