By Jodee Weiland

One of the many ways I express my love for my family is through my cooking, but more importantly, cooking delicious food that is healthy as well, such as my Crock Pot Bolognese Sauce with Ground Sirloin. Raised by a health conscious Italian mother, just like my beautiful mother, I want my family to enjoy long healthy lives.  By eating healthy, I mean eating well without sacrificing flavor. I believe eating healthy does not mean giving up great tasting and delicious meals.  In fact, quite the opposite is true.  My belief has always been that I can cook delicious meals for my family that are both healthy and satisfying, leaving us to savor the rich flavors while sharing good times. Crock Pot Bolognese Sauce with Ground Sirloin is both delicious and healthy.

For that reason, I began making my Bolognese sauce with lean ground sirloin years ago.  My mother used lean ground round for her meatballs, and I followed her lead, but later I chose to go leaner still by using lean ground sirloin when I made both my meatballs and my Bolognese sauce, a choice I have never regretted.  When my mom and dad ate Bolognese in my home, they both loved it, so I knew I made the right choice.  Knowing my Crock Pot Bolognese Sauce with Ground Sirloin is more heart healthy makes my choice a winner for my family. As an added bonus, when I make my sauce in a crock pot, I always make enough for several meals, so with this recipe you will have enough to freeze for later meals.

Crock Pot Bolognese Sauce with Ground Sirloin (This recipe makes four quarts of sauce, enough sauce to freeze servings for later)

2 to 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 pounds lean ground sirloin
2 medium to large onions sliced or chopped
4 cloves garlic chopped
2 teaspoon basil or use 2 tablespoon fresh basil cut up
1 teaspoon dried or ground oregano or 2 teaspoons fresh oregano
1 teaspoon ground red pepper (optional)
3 to 4 cups fresh mushrooms slice or two 4 ounce cans sliced mushrooms
Two 28 ounce cans crushed tomatoes or tomato puree
One 6 ounce can tomato paste
2 tablespoon sugar (some people prefer to use 2 to 3 carrots finely shredded or chopped for sweetness)
1/4 to 1/2 cup water (1/2 cup red wine is optional)
Freshly grated imported Parmesan Reggiano cheese
Pasta of your choice

After putting the olive oil in and spreading it around the bottom of the crock pot, put the ground sirloin at the bottom of your pot. Turn the crock pot on high, so the ground sirloin will start to cook slightly while you add the other ingredients. Put the onions, garlic, basil, oregano, red pepper (optional), and mushrooms on top of that. Gently stir together the ingredients added so far, breaking apart the ground sirloin. Then add tomato puree or crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and water as needed, usually about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water, depending on desired consistency. Add in the sugar if you do not use carrots.  If using carrots, put the carrots in with the onions, garlic, seasonings, and mushrooms.  Carefully stir everything together and then cover the crock pot setting the heat for 4, 6, or 8 hours, whichever you prefer, stirring at the end.

Be ready to boil the pasta of your choice once the sauce is ready or nearly ready. By the way, if you lay a wooden spoon across the top of your pot of boiling water for the pasta, usually it will not boil over. Keep an eye on it nonetheless, so as not have any unexpected problems. I was surprised myself, but this works well. When the pasta is ready, drain your pasta and add your sauce, gently mix the two together. Then serve with freshly grated imported Parmesan Reggiano cheese. Any leftover sauce can be stored in freezer containers and frozen for later use. This recipe makes four quarts, enough for four meals.

Crock Pot Bolognese Sauce with Ground Sirloin is a wonderful meal to share with your family. At our house, we share this meal with a crusty loaf of bread and a glass of good Chianti. Growing up, my mother always added a simple fresh salad to this meal as well. Whether you decide on pasta with bread and salad or just pasta, you won’t be disappointed. One thing for sure, this delicious meal always leaves everyone feeling satisfied and usually is accompanied by great conversations, shared laughter, and feelings of love. Bringing a family together for a great meal is so important in making shared memories. I hope you have an opportunity to try this meal and make some memories of good times with your own families! Enjoy!