Pasta with Easy Italian Meat Sauce

Step 1

Start a large pot of water to boil for the pasta. Meanwhile, heat the butter and oil in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and the garlic. Saute for a few minutes and then add the ground beef. Cook until it turns brown, about five more minutes.

Step 2

Add the tomatoes and their liquid, crushing each of them with a large spoon. Stir in the milk, bay leaf, thyme, nutmeg and salt and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes. While this is simmering, cook the pasta in the boiling salted water. When the pasta is done, drain it, reserving 1/2 cup of the water for later.

Step 3

Return the pasta to the warm pot and pour the meat sauce on top of it. Stir gently to combine. Add the reserved pasta water if the pasta seems too dry. (my sauce was fine without the extra water, but it's always a good idea to reserve some water each time) Serve sprinkled with Parmesan. Enjoy!