This bolognese sauce recipe is a variation of the classic Italian sauce.

It's not complicated at all.

This Italian tomato sauce is perfect dinner served over pasta with just a side salad to complete the meal.

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 60 minutes

Ingredients:
1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup Italian pancetta or Canadian bacon
1/4 cup finely chopped carrot
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped lean beef
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 strip lemon peel
1 pinch nutmeg
1 cup beef stock
1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
1/4 cup whipping cream

Directions:
Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the pancetta, carrots and onions. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the beef and brown it over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add the tomato paste, lemon peel, nutmeg and stock and wine. Partially cover and simmer slowly for 1 hour.

Remove from the heat, take out the lemon peel and stir in the whipping cream just before serving.

Serve over hot cooked pasta.

Makes 2 cups, enough for about 4 servings.

Serve this delectable Italian sauce recipe on your favorite pasta with a large salad and some garlic bread.

• The directions call for chopped lean beef, which means beef cut into small cubes, but can substitute ground lean beef as well.
• Use red wine if you prefer. It will result in a somewhat heartier taste.
• You can omit the wine altogether if you want and substitute and extra 1/2 cup of beef stock. Keep in mind though that the wine adds a distinctive taste that will be missing if you omit it.