Pot Roast Bolognese

Pot Roast Bolognese

Everyone loves a good pasta Bolognese, right? I know our family loves the simple rich beefy taste of a great Bolognese sauce so I thought, why not move outside using just ground beef and try braising a pot roast in the same simple sauce which may be the best flavor enhancer to beef that was ever invented. The result was outstanding! The slow cooking process tenderized the beef to the point that it was falling apart and the sauce was deep, rich and delicious.

This is a great weekend cooking idea because you can make a very large pot roast and have leftovers for a meal or two in the early days of the week ahead. We served this pot roast with some roasted potatoes and steamed vegetables on Sunday, then enjoyed pulled beef bolognese sandwiches with melted provolone the next day. The remaining pulled beef and sauce was then simply warmed and served over pasta the next day; one relaxing slow cooking Sunday, three days of incredibly delicious meals...what's better than that?

4 to 5 pound beef roast (Blade or cross rib cuts work well.)

Season the roast with salt and pepper and brown on all sides in a cast iron pan with a little canola oil added to the pan. Transfer the roast to a covered roaster or heavy dutch oven. To the frying pan add:

• 4 ounces pancetta, finely diced (or bacon)

Cook over medium heat until the pancetta renders it's fat and begins to brown, then add:

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 carrots, diced small
• 3 celery stalks, diced small
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 2 large onions, finely diced
• salt and pepper to season

Cook until the onions have softened but not browned. Add the vegetable mixture to the roasting pan along with:

• 4 cups crushed canned tomatoes
• 3 cups beef stock
• 2 cups red wine
• 1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 bay leaves

Cover and place in a 325 degree oven for 2-3 hours until the meat is fall-apart tender.

Serve with roasted potatoes and steamed vegetables.

Leftover suggestions:

Pull the beef into pieces, toss in a little of the sauce and serve on toasted crusty bread with melting provolone cheese.

Pot Roast Bolognese Sandwich

Serve pulled beef and sauce tossed with pasta and served with grated Parmesan cheese.

Pot Roast Bolognese Pasta