Pasta with Weekday Meat Sauce

In our quest for a quick yet richly flavored meat sauce that tasted like it had simmered all day, we discovered a few tricks. Browning the meat can dry it out and toughen it, so we skipped this step. Instead, we browned a small amount of white mushrooms, which we had spun through the food processor; cooking the mushrooms for just 10 minutes left browned bits on the bottom of the pan that instilled our sauce with a deep, hearty flavor. To further keep the meat from becoming tough, we blended it with a panade (a mixture of bread and milk) before cooking it quickly, just until it lost its color; the bread’s starches absorb liquid from the milk to form a gel that coats and lubricates the meat. Finally, for good tomato flavor, we added tomato paste to the browned vegetables and deglazed the pan with a little tomato juice before adding the canned tomatoes. Except for ground round (which tasters found spongy and bland), this recipe will work with most types of ground beef, as long as it is 85 percent lean. High-quality canned tomatoes will make a big difference in this sauce; click here for information on our preferred brands. If using dried oregano, add the entire amount with the reserved tomato juice in step 2.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 ounces white mushrooms, trimmed and halved if small or quartered if large
• 1 slice of hearty white sandwich bread, torn into quarters
• 2 tablespoons whole milk
• Salt and pepper
• 1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped fine
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can dice tomatoes, drained with ¼ cup juice reserved
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1 (28-ounce) can of crushed tomatoes
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
• 2 pounds penne

PREPARATION:

1. Pulse mushrooms in a food processor until finely chopped, about 8 pulses, scraping down bowl as needed; transfer to a bowl.
2. Add bread, milk, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper to a now-empty food processor and pulse until paste forms, about 8 pulses.
3. Add ground beef and pulse until the mixture is well combined, about 6 pulses.
4. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until just smoking.
5. Add processed mushrooms and onion and cook until vegetables are softened and well browned, 6 to 12 minutes.
6. Stir in garlic, pepper flakes, and tomato paste and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
7. Stir in ¼ cup reserved tomato juice and 2 teaspoons fresh oregano (if using dried, add the full amount), scraping up any browned bits.
8. Stir in meat mixture and cook, breaking up any large pieces with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 3 minutes (do not let meat brown).
9. Stir in diced tomatoes and crushed tomatoes, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook until the sauce has thickened and flavors meld about 30 minutes.
10. Stir in Parmesan and remaining 1 teaspoon fresh oregano and season with salt and pepper to taste.

TIPS:

• Use high-quality canned tomatoes for the best flavor.
• Don’t overcook the meat; cook it just until it loses its color to keep it tender.
• Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper according to your taste.

In conclusion, this quick and flavorful meat sauce is perfect for those seeking a rich and satisfying dish without the need for long hours of simmering. By skipping the browning step for the meat and instead browning mushrooms, we were able to infuse the sauce with a deep, hearty flavor. Blending the meat with a panade and adding tomato paste and juice further enhanced the taste and texture of the sauce. Remember to use high-quality canned tomatoes for the best results.

This versatile sauce pairs well with penne pasta, allowing the flavors to coat each piece of pasta for a delightful dining experience. Sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top for an added touch of richness. This recipe yields a generous amount, making it great for serving a crowd or for leftovers that can be enjoyed the next day.

Prepare this quick and flavorful meat sauce whenever you’re craving a taste of Italy in a fraction of the time. Impress your family and friends with this delicious sauce, and savor the rich flavors that come from carefully selected ingredients and cooking techniques.