Weeknight dinner: Pasta Bolognese

I used to make pasta with meat sauce all the time.  It was part of our rotation of family meals for many many years...a quick dinner consisting of chopped onion, browned beef, and a jar of tomato sauce.  It was a family favorite and so I never thought to mess with success.  But a couple of weeks ago while visiting my dad we went to a wonderful Italian restaurant where I had a classic pasta Bolognese.  After one bite it was like the clouds parted and rays of enlightenment streamed down upon me, or rather it was like being hit over the head with a cast iron pan as I realized how rich and complex a meat sauce could be, and what we'd been missing all these years.  

There are a few key elements that will transform any simple meat sauce into a fabulous Bolognese.  The slow browning of the minced vegetables develops the first level of deep flavor.  A combination of beef and pork adds a second level.  The hot pepper creates a spicy note, the wine and the fresh herbs contribute complexity, and the cream adds a final but essential dreamy richness.  It really doesn't take much longer than a basic meat sauce, but it's so much more rewarding.

Pasta with Bolognese Sauce

1 onion, minced
2 carrots, peeled and cut in small dice
1 small hot Italian pepper, minced (if you don't have one you can use red pepper flakes)
2 cloves garlic, minced
good olive oil
1 1lb ground Angus beef (85%)
1/2 lb ground pork
1 26 oz box of Pomi chopped or pureed Italian tomatoes
2 Tbsp tomato paste (from a tube that you should always have in your fridge)
1/2 cup red wine (I used Marsala, because I didn't have any red around)
1 cup water
2 bay leaves
a bunch of fresh thyme, leaves removed
salt and fresh pepper to taste
a splash of heavy cream
fresh Parmigiano Reggiano 
1 box whole grain spaghetti

Cover the bottom of a heavy pot with olive oil and saute the onion, carrots, pepper and garlic for 5 to 10 minutes, until browned.  This is an important step towards developing the special flavors of the sauce, so don't skip it.  Add more oil if it sticks.  
Add in the ground meats and cook until they are browned.  While it is browning, break up the meat well, so there are no large chunks. Then add in the wine, tomatoes and water along with the bay leaves and the fresh thyme leaves.  Season with salt and pepper.  Cover and simmer for a least an hour, longer is better.  Add the splash of cream towards the end, remove the bay leaves,and check the seasoning.  
Cook the whole grain pasta to an al dente stage and drain.  Add in a little of the sauce to separate the pasta strands, and then heap into big pasta bowls and top with lots of sauce.  Garnish with some fresh cheese.  

This sauce gets better with age, so it makes wonderful leftovers.