MEAT AND TOMATO SAUCE

Meat and Tomato Sauce image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 2h20m

Yield about 15 cups

Number Of Ingredients 18

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1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 large onion, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup Italian tomato paste
Four 28-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes, with liquid
2 teaspoons Kosher salt plus to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground veal
1/2 pound ground pork
1 tablespoon dried savory or rosemary, crumbled into small pieces
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon fennel seeds, cracked
2 bay leaves
Rind of Parmesan, about 2- to 4-inches long (optional)
1/2 to 1 cup grated Parmesan

Steps:

In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the pepper flakes and cook for 15 seconds. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes one at a time, crushing them by hand as you go. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the sauce over low heat, covered. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef, pork, veal, savory, thyme, oregano, and fennel seeds. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon, and cook until it loses its raw color, about 7 minutes. Add the meat to the sauce, holding back any excess fat. Add the rind of the Parmesan, if using. Simmer the sauce, covered, over low heat, for 1 1/2 hours. (If the sauce gets too thick adjust the consistency with water.) Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste. Just before serving, remove the Parmesan rind and add the grated cheese. Cook's Note: 3 to 4 cups of this sauce will dress 1 pound of pasta, like spaghetti or rigatoni. It is also perfect for lasagna. This sauce freezes very well.
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