Family Night Bolognese with Zucchini
Bolognese with cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, fresh basil and coarsely grated zucchini. It's so good the whole family will stop to sit down and eat this delicious meal.
Ingredients
- 12 oz whole grain thin spaghetti
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 4 cloves garlic crushed or minced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon coconut sugar or granulated
- Pinch kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons tap water
- 1 lemon zest + juiced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 zucchini coarsely grated
- 1 cup pitted kalamata olives
- 5-6 basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to manufacturer's instructions, reserving 1 cup of pasta water. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile in a large skillet, brown beef with the crushed red pepper, thyme, garlic. Once beef has browned, add tomato paste, coconut sugar, and salt and pepper. Continue to stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add white vinegar and tap water and cook another 2 minutes or so until almost evaporated.
- Add pasta at this time along with lemon zest and lemon juice. Mix to combine.
- Stir in cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and olives along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. If needed add remaining 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Serve topped with chopped basil leaves.