SOUTHERN ITALIAN MEAT SAUCE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery; cook and stir until crisp-tender, 4-5 minutes. Add carrots and garlic; cook and stir until tender, 1-2 minutes longer. Transfer vegetable mixture to a large bowl. Add eggs, crackers and seasonings. Add beef; mix lightly but thoroughly, Shape into an 8x4-in. loaf in a greased 11x7-in. baking dish. Bake, covered, for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake until a thermometer reads 160°, 15-20 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes. Cut into slices; spread with pimiento cheese. Serve with potatoes and, if desired, shredded cheese and jalapeno.

Steps:

• Combine ground beef, sausage, and pancetta in a large skillet. Cook over medium-high, stirring to break into small pieces, until browned, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer meat to a 6-quart slow cooker; reserve drippings in skillet.
• Add onion, celery, and carrots to hot drippings; cook over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add red wine; cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has almost completely evaporated, about 2 minutes. Add onion mixture to slow cooker with meat. Stir in sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Using your hands, crush tomatoes to break apart; add to slow cooker and stir. Cover and cook on LOW until flavors meld, about 6 hours. Remove and discard bay leaf.
• Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain well. Serve sauce over pasta; top with cheese and basil. Sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 5 days or frozen up to 3 months.