Pasta with Meat Sauce
2 tablespoons oil (I'm using olive oil)
2 pounds ground meat of your choice, such as beef, pork, turkey, chicken, lamb (I'm using beef)
1 onion, diced (I'm using yellow onion)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup tomato paste
3/4 cup liquid of your choice, such as beef stock, chicken stock, water or wine (I'm using red wine)
One 28-ounce can tomato product (I'm using crushed tomatoes)
2 tablespoons oregano (if you have it)
Salt and pepper
1 pound dry pasta (I'm using rigatoni)
3 tablespoons grated hard cheese (I'm using Parmesan)
Instructions:
Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add the oil. When hot, add the meat and cook, without stirring, until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Break it up with a wooden spoon, then add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until starting to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a simmer. Add the crushed tomatoes and oregano and season with salt and pepper. Simmer until thickened and the flavors come together, about 1 hour.
About 20 minutes before the sauce is done, bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt liberally. Drop in the pasta, give it a stir and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. Remove from the heat, toss in the cheese and serve.
