Pork Bolognese with Spaghetti

Forget the canned sauces, fix this easy homemade sauce for your family instead. Serve with garlic bread and a green salad.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 pound lean boneless pork, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
2 cans (35 ounces each) peeled Italian plum tomatoes
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh basil, minced or 2 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon fennel seed, crushed coarsely
12 ounces spaghetti, cooked and drained
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling

Cooking Directions:

1. In large nonstick skillet, saute pork in olive oil over medium-high heat until lightly browned.
2. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is wilted.
3. Add the red bell pepper, tomatoes with their juice (crush slightly with the back of a spoon), stir in the basil and oregano. Bring just to a boil, reduce the heat to moderately low and simmer, overed, for 40 minutes, until pork is very tender.
4. Stir in the black pepper and crushed fennel seed; correct seasoning with salt and sugar, if desired.
5. Toss spaghetti with sauce to serve sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

Makes 6 servings.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of National Pork Board.