Pasta Bolognese

Ingredients

• 4 slices of thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 medium carrots, diced
• 2 stalks of celery, diced
• 2 pounds of ground pork
• 1 pound of ground veal or beef
• 1/3 cup tomato paste
• 1 1/2 cups of red wine
• 1 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes in puree
• 1 1/2 cups of half and half
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 pound of pasta, cooked according to package directions
• Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium low heat. Add bacon and cook until fat is rendered and bacon is crisping slightly, about 5 minutes. Add onions, carrots, and celery and cook for 5 minutes, or until veggies are tender.
2. Add ground meats and break apart with a spatula. Cook until no longer pink, about 7 minutes.
3. Add tomato paste and stir so that all the meat is evenly coated. Add the wine, raise heat to high and boil for 5 min.
4. Add the crushed tomatoes and bring to a boil for 5 minutes more. Add the half and half, bay leaf and thyme and stir well. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for one hour. Alternately, place the sauce in your slow cooker set on low, cover and cook for 6-7 hours.
5. Taste for seasoning and serve over hot pasta, garnished with parmesan cheese.