Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons EVOO
- 2 to 3 slices smoky bacon
- finely chopped
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck (fattier) or sirloin (leaner)
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- eyeball it
- 2 tablespoons ancho chile powder or chili powder blend
- a couple of palmfuls
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked sweet paprika
- a palmful
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- lightly crushed in palm
- about 1/2 a palmful
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1/3 palmful
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- eyeball the amount in your palm
- 4 to 5 large cloves garlic
- finely chopped
- 3 jalapeno chile peppers
- seeded and finely chopped
- 1 onion
- finely chopped
- 1 healthy pinch ground cloves
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups beef stock
- plus extra for reheat
- One 32-ounce can fire roasted crushed or diced tomatoes
- One 14-ounce can red kidney beans
- drained
- One 14-ounce can tomato sauce
- Salt
- 1 1/2 pounds bucatini or spaghetti
- Finley chopped raw white
- red or green onions
- Shredded Cheddar
- Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- Pickled jalapeno slices|
Instructions
- Heat the EVOO in a large Dutch oven or soup pot, over medium-high heat.
- Add the bacon and crisp.
- Add the beef and brown well.
- Add the Worcestershire, chile powder, cocoa powder, paprika, oregano, allspice, cinnamon, garlic, jalapenos, onions and cloves.
- Cook until the onions are tender, about 10 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste, stir a minute, and then add the stock, tomatoes, beans and tomato sauce.
- Bring to a bubble, and then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 45 minutes.
- Cool and store for a make-ahead meal.
- Reheat over medium heat, stirring frequently, adding water or stock to thin if the sauce gets too thick.
- To serve, while the sauce heats, bring a large pot of water to boil for the pasta.
- Season the boiling water with salt and add the pasta, cook to al dente.
- Remove 1 cup of starchy cooking water just before draining the pasta.
- Add the cooking water to the meat sauce, drain the pasta and return it to the hot pot.
- Toss the pasta with tongs, combining the starchy cooking water and about two-thirds of the sauce.
- Transfer the pasta to a large serving platter and top with the remaining sauce.
- Set up the onions, Cheddar, Parmigiano-Reggiano, pickled jalapeno and cilantro in front of the platter.
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