Staples.

Bolognese, originally uploaded by miss.mallory.

There are recipes in life that are go-to recipes. The dishes we make when we're strapped for time, tired, broke, or lazy, but still don't want to sacrifice an incredible and comforting meal as a result of those. This is my dish. My ultimate. One I've been making consistently for about a year now, but still haven't blogged about. Which is kind of crazy, if you were aware of how often a vat of it was sitting in tupperware packed in my refrigerator. When it comes to this recipes success, it is truly about the elements. They all must be 'just so' in order for it to be swoon worthy delicious. Procuring these things shouldn't be an issue. The most important ingredient is Isernio's chicken italian sausage. I'm one of those girls who makes meatloaf with ground turkey instead of ground beef, and I always loved ground turkey, that is until Isernios came into my life. They are perfectly seasoned, low fat, low calorie sausages. One large link has 100 calories and 3 grams of fat, no additives, preservatives, or msg. Yet, they taste so incredibly decadent. I couldn't live my life happily, or eat this pasta ever again, if I did not have Isernios Italian chicken sausage. . . I mean it. I am an Isernios convert. Even when I'm broke, I'm willing to pay the higher price for these links.

Beyond that, I have one particular pasta sauce I have to use. Yes, it's a jar, from the grocery store. I will admit I have always wanted to buy an exorbitant amount of tomatoes late summer and have an all day pasta sauce making, canning extravaganza (maybe this year I can talk Miss Rachelle into joining me, and actually do it). Alas, I don't have delicious jars of homemade marinara sauce sitting in my pantry I use jarred. And it must be a particular brand, and a particular type. Rinaldi Sweet and Tasty Tomato. You might life, some foodies may even turn their noses up in disgust. But only this jar of sauce will do for my pasta!

The result is a creamy, tangy yet slightly (naturally, thank you carrots) sweet pasta. It just doesn't get any better than this. I promise you!

And now, for my neurotic list of ingredients and the recipe:

Recipe: missmallorys take on Bolognese

Serves 4 (I usually double the recipe)

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium sized sweet onion - thinly sliced
4 medium carrots (preferably organic, with curly bottoms and green tops) - diced
4 Isernios Italian Chicken Sausage, casings removed, roughly chopped
4 cloves of garlic
1 jar of Rinaldi Sweet and Tasty Tomato pasta sauce
4 Tablespoons half and half or cream
1 box Ronzoni smart pasta - spaghetti
Flat leaf italian parsley for garnish
Pecorino Grated

Directions:

1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium/high heat
2. Toss onions into skillet and saute until tender (about 5 minutes)
3. Reduce heat to low, salt and pepper to taste
4. Caramelize onions for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally
5. Add carrots to the onions and continue to caramelize on low for another 15-20 minutes
6. Remove veggies from pan, throw in chicken sausage, cook sausage until done
7. Return caramelized veggies to pan and add garlic (sometimes, if I have it, at this step I will de-glaze the pan with a splash or red wine)
8. Add pasta sauce, cover, and simmer for 10-20 minutes on very low heat
9. While the pasta sauce simmer cooks the spaghetti noodles. Drain.
10. Add cream then noodles to pasta sauce. Toss until thoroughly coated.

Top with fresh parsley and pecorino, and enjoy. Trust me, enjoy you will!! I wouldn't be surprised if this one became a regular in your home too!