Versatile veggie filled bolognaise sauce

Bologna: place in Italy (that has really nice tortellini).  In a true sense, bolognaise sauce which would be the Anglicised version of Bolognese (meaning from Bologna) doesn't exist.  But that's what we all call it here.  It's kind of a ragu, or even a meaty sauce that can be used in many, many ways. 

There's nothing better than something that can be used in lots of different ways.  A sauce that freezes well, for instant meals and that can be used in almost countless ways.  I make it in bulk.  Feel free to halve if you don't think you'd get through it....but I think you'll be kicking yourself when you run out!

I pop it in the slow cooker, but if you want to you can continue to cook it on the stove, keeping an eye on it that the pot doesn't run dry.  If you're feeling incredibly lazy (we all have those days) skip the fry pan and pop it straight in the slow cooker.  The flavours won't be as intense, but you'll basically achieve the same thing.

For my onions and my mushrooms I used my Tupperware TurboChef to chop the onions and also the mushrooms.  The mushrooms are a "foreign object" that will not be eaten by my kids unless chopped very finely.  I love the nutritional benefits of the mushrooms though and the flavour that they bring to the sauce.  If you want to omit them you can.

If you're cooking for a little bub, you can blitz this sauce in the blender or food processor.  But don't blitz it all...because it makes a lot!

Versatile veggie filled bolognaise sauce
Ingredients
1kg beef mince (I buy premium mince)
1 kg pork and veal mince
200 grams pancetta (diced) buy a chunk from the deli and cut it into little dice
2 onions, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, grated
2 zucchini, grated
200grams mushrooms finely chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
4-5 tomatoes, chopped (or a tin of chopped tomatoes)
1.4kgs passata (2 jars)
1 bouquet garni
1 tbsp tomato paste
Method:
In a fry pan over medium heat add the olive oil.
Fry the onion, garlic and pancetta until the onion is soft.
Add the mince, a bit a time, separating and browning.
When all the mince is browned, add the grated carrot, zucchini and chopped tomatoes.
Stir through completely.
Add the mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the tomato paste.
Pour the mince mix into the slow cooker, add the passata and stir through.
Dunk a bouquet garni in the sauce and push it down.
Cook for 8 hours on low or 4-5 on high.