Ziti and Meatballs, Bolognese Primavera

There is no comfort food that can top spaghetti and meatballs. OK, maybe ziti and meatballs. Other comfort foods (and there are many) may match this dish, but none will surpass (in my humble opinion). This takes about an hour to prepare, but a lot of it is simmering on the stovetop. This is definitely a weeknight dinner winner.

Great comfort food for ringing in the new year! Happy 2025!

2 Tbsp butter plus 2 Tbsp olive oil

2 stalks celery, finely chopped

1 carrot feathered with a peeler

1 shallot, finely minced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, minced

2 tsp fresh Thyme leaves, minced

1/2 6-oz can tomato paste

1 28-oz can whole tomatoes

1/2 cup white wine

2 Tbsp Balsamic vinegar

dash crushed red pepper flakes, to taste

1/2 lb ziti (or other favorite pasta shape)

8-10 cooked meatballs [I used frozen Meatballs Florentine, thawed]

grated parmesan for garnish

Prepare the sauce. Melt the butter in the oil in a medium pot. Add the celery, carrot and shallot and cook for about 8-10 minutes, until the veggies have softened and are just becoming a bit golden.

Add the garlic and herbs and cook another 2-3 minutes.

Add the tomato paste to the veggies and cook 3-4 minutes, until a bit darkened. Meanwhile cut up the tomatoes in the can with a pair of scissors.

Add the tomatoes, wine and vinegar the pot. Add red pepper flakes to taste. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring, and set down to a very low simmer. Cook uncovered on the lowest simmer possible for at least 30 minutes or an hour if you have it. About 20 minutes before you are ready to eat, add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer. As the mixture cooks, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Meanwhile set a medium pot of well-salted water to a boil for the ziti. Stir the pasta into the boiling water about 8 minutes before you are ready to serve. Cook pasta until just al-dente and reserve about a cup of cooking water. Drain pasta and fold gently in with the sauce and meatballs. Adjust thickness of sauce with pasta water if necessary, to arrive at a nice glossy sauce.

Plate the pasta and garnish with parmesan cheese.

Serves 2-3.

Comments

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