Sunday Supper - Pasta with Meat Sauce

The girl who sits next to me at work had pasta with meat sauce for lunch last week and I've been craving it ever since. This recipe is my absolute favorite for a simple meat sauce.

1. Pulse 4 oz white mushrooms in a food processor and transfer to a medium bowl.

2. Pulse 1 large slice high-quality sandwich bread, 2 tbs whole milk, salt and pepper until a paste forms. Add 1 lb 85% lean ground beef and pulse until combined.

3. Heat oil in sauce pan until just smoking. Add mushrooms and 1 diced medium onion and brown. Stir in 6 minced cloves of garlic, 1 tbs tomato paste, and red pepper flakes.

4. Add 1/4 cup reserved tomato juice from a can of diced tomatoes and 2 tsp of fresh oregano. Add the meat mixture and cook until no longer pink but not browned.

5. Stir in 1 can diced tomatoes and 1 can crushed tomatoes. Simmer for 30 minutes.

6. Combine with 1 lb cooked pasta and top with shredded fresh basil.