House On Prairie Lane

Last week, the polar vortex had us craving everything warm + hearty. We’ve been eating our fair share of salads and chicken this month (with our goal to eat more healthy this new year), but with the frigid temps, we prefer comfort food. Can you blame us? This Slow-Cooker Bolognese is the perfect meal on a cold winter night.

Slow-Cooker Bolognese

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 large carrots, chopped
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 1lb ground beef
• 1lb bulk italian sausage
• 1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
• t tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup red wine
• freshly ground black pepper
• shaved parmesan (for garnish)
• fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions:

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil.
2. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook until tender, approx. 5 minutes
3. Add tomato paste and stir until combined.
4. Add ground beef and italian sausage, cook through, approx. 8 minutes
5. Transfer mixture with a slotted spoon to slow cooker
6. Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, thyme, bay leaf, salt, milk, and red wine. Season with pepper and stir until combined
7. Cover and cook on low, 6-7 hours
8. Discard bay leaf
9. Serve over pasta (we prefer a jumbo penne)
10. Garnish with parsley and parmesan
11. Enjoy!

ps.. With our goal to eat more healthy, I cook with all organic ingredients. All of my veggies, pasta, crushed tomatoes, milk and even the red wine are USDA Organic. Our beef is always Grass-Fed. I’ve done a lot of research of what goes into our bodies, and the quality of the ingredients are very important when it comes to feeding my family.