Ingredients

• 500g mixed ground meat (beef/pork)
• Cloves (quantity not specified, use to taste - perhaps 2-3)
• 2x Bay leaves
• 500g Spaghetti
• 500g Small sweet tomatoes (like cherry or grape tomatoes)
• 3x White onions
• 1x Large carrot
• 1x Celery stalk
• Dried Italian herbs (to taste)
• Parmesan cheese (for grating, to taste)
• Fresh basil (for garnish, to taste)
• Fresh garlic (quantity not specified, use to taste - perhaps 2-3 cloves for Step 2)
• Extra virgin olive oil

Extra equipment

• Immersion blender (Hand blender)

---

Step 1

Preheat the convection oven (fan oven) to 180°C (350°F). Cut the onions into quarters and the tomatoes in half, then place them in an oven dish. Add two cloves of garlic (whole, with skin on) to the dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Place the oven dish in the oven. Set a timer for 30 minutes.

Step 2

Heat a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil in a large pan, covering the bottom. Add the mixed ground meat and brown it well. Meanwhile, finely chop one of the remaining onions (from the ingredient list, not the ones roasting) and the fresh garlic cloves. Add these to the pan once the meat is well browned. Finely dice the carrot and celery stalk into very small pieces and add them immediately after chopping. It is important to cook everything thoroughly before moving to the next step.

Step 3

Remove the onions and tomatoes from the oven when they are well roasted. Remove the roasted garlic cloves from the dish. Put the roasted onions and tomatoes into a bowl and blend with the immersion blender until smooth. Add this mixture to the pan with the meat. Add a few cloves and the bay leaves. Cover the pan and let it simmer for a while, about 20 to 30 minutes. Stir the meat mixture well every 3 minutes.

Step 4

After the sauce has simmered for about 20 minutes, start cooking the spaghetti according to package directions (this usually takes around 10 minutes). Cook the pasta until just before al dente, as it will continue to cook slightly in the sauce. Once the pasta is ready, drain it and add it directly to the pan with the meat sauce. Turn off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes so the pasta can absorb the sauce.

Step 5

Garnish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil leaves before serving.