Rigatoni con Sugo di Carne anni '80 - La ricetta di mia nonna

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: canned lentils

Ground turkey is leaner, while lentils provide a budget-friendly protein.

canned tomatoes

🥗Healthier: fresh tomatoes

💰Cheaper: crushed tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes can be healthier, while crushed tomatoes are often less expensive.

cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Nutritional yeast offers a cheesy flavor with fewer calories, while processed cheese is often cheaper.

beef broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water with seasonings

Vegetable broth can reduce calories and costs while adding flavor.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.

Add chopped onion and bell pepper, sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.

Transfer the beef mixture to a crockpot.

Add canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper to the crockpot.

Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

About 30 minutes before serving, stir in uncooked pasta.

Cover and continue cooking until pasta is tender, about 30 minutes.

Remove bay leaves before serving.

Garnish with parsley and cheese before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Spice Level: