Description

This meal is basically pasta with a meat sauce and vegetables. It's a great way to get your needed servings of veggies in a delicious meal.

Ingredients

• 16 oz. package pasta, spaghetti or linguine (or favorite pasta)
• olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 c. carrots, small diced
• 1 c. celery, small diced
• 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
• 16 oz. ground beef
• 1 t. tomato paste
• 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
• 14 oz. can tomato sauce
• handful fresh basil, torn
• shaved parmigiana cheese

Steps

1. Bring a large pot of well salted water to boil; cook pasta according to package directions; drain, reserving some of the pasta water for the sauce later. Set aside.
2. While pasta is cooking, in a large saucepan with high sides, heat a little olive oil. Add ground beef; season with salt and pepper; cook about 5 minutes or until just no longer pink, breaking up the beef while cooking. Discard excess grease; transfer the beef to a bowl; set aside.
3. Add a little bit of olive oil to the same saucepan; cook onion, carrots and celery, stirring frequently, about 5-6 minutes, or until softened. Add garlic for the last 30 seconds of cooking, stirring constantly.