Pasta with (Good) Meat Sauce

Is there anything more comforting than tucking into to a saucy bowl of pasta?  This sauce comes together quickly, but tastes like it's been simmering all day. Tastes even better for lunch the next day.

Ingredients

• Olive oil

• 1 pound ground beef

• Salt and pepper

• 1 yellow onion, grated

• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 3 cloves of garlic, grated

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 28 ounce can crusted tomatoes

• 1 pound short pasta

• 1 bay leaf

• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Heat about a tablespoon of olive oil in a heavy bottomed-pot over medium-high heat then add the onion and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and cooked for about 4 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes.

2. Add ground beef. Cook until browned through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Add tomatoes and a pinch of salt. Add about 1/4 can of water and a bay leaf.

4. Stir and simmer for about 20 minutes.

5. While the sauce is simmering, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of cooking liquid.

6. Toss the pasta with the sauce, thinning the sauce with cooking liquid as needed.

7. Top with parmesan cheese and dig in.

Takes 40 minutes

Serves 4-6