Meat Sauce with Veggies

Meat Sauce

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup chopped pancetta or bacon
1 onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
2 ribs celery, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 pounds ground beef
1/2 cup dry red wine or beef broth
One 28-ounce can tomato puree
salt and pepper

1. In a large, heavy pot, heat the olive oil and add the pancetta or bacon and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the onion with the bacon, carrot and celery and cook until softened for 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic for another minute. Increase the heat to medium-high heat and add the beef and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink. Stir in the wine or beef broth and cook for 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the tomato puree and 1 cup of water; season with salt and pepper bring to a simmer. Partially cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until thickened for about 2 hours. Season again with salt and pepper.

This makes a big batch, so you can use it for pasta or put into pizza dough add cheese and wrap up and bake. It is really good!