CHEAT’S MEATBALL & BEEF RAGÙ

prep + cook time 5½ hours serves 6

500g Italian-style pork sausages

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

500g lean beef mince

3 cloves garlic, crushed

1 medium onion (150g), chopped finely

1 medium carrot (120g), chopped finely

1 celery stalk (150g), chopped finely

1/3 cup (95g) tomato paste

2 tsp dried italian herbs

½ cup (125ml) red wine (optional, see tip)

1 cup (250ml) beef stock

2 x 400g cans diced tomatoes

2 fresh or dried bay leaves

¼ cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley tip If you choose not to use wine, replace with the same amount of beef stock or water. keep Suitable to freeze at the end of step 3, before adding the parsley.

1 Squeeze sausage meat from casings and roll into walnut-sized balls; discard casings. Heat half the oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add beef; cook, stirring to break up, until browned. Using a slotted spoon, transfer beef to a plate. Add remaining oil; cook sausage meatballs, stirring until browned. Using slotted spoon, transfer sausage meatballs to same plate.

2 Add garlic, onion, carrot and celery to pan; cook, stirring, for 8 minutes. Add tomato paste, cook for 2 minutes; stir in dried herbs and wine.

3 Transfer the wine mixture to a 6-litre (24-cup) slow cooker. Add beef, sausage meatballs, stock, canned tomatoes and bay leaves; stir to combine. Cook, covered, on low for 5 hours. Remove bay leaves and stir in parsley. Season to taste.