2. 1/4 Pound Sliced Bacon, Cut Crosswise Into 1/4-Inch Strips

PASTA BOLOGNESE

SERVES: 4 We find this sauce, which is traditionally simmered for a long time, tastes just as good when cooked for less than half an hour. Now you won't have to consign Bolognese sauce to the lazy Sunday afternoon of cooking that never comes.

INGREDIENTS: 1. 2 tablespoons butter 2. 1/4 pound sliced bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch strips 3. 1 onion, chopped 4. 1/2 pound ground beef or a mixture of pork, veal, and beef (meat-loaf mix) 5. 1 cup canned low-sodium beef or chicken broth or homemade stock 6. 1/2 cup dry white wine 7. 2 tablespoons tomato paste 8. 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 9. 3/4 teaspoon salt 10. 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper 11. 1/2 cup heavy cream 12. 3/4 pound spaghetti 13. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS: In a large frying pan, heat the butter and bacon over moderately low heat. Cook until the bacon renders some of its fat, about 3 minutes. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, about 3 minutes longer. Stir in the ground beef and cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 2 minutes. Add the broth, wine, tomato paste, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 25 minutes. Stir in the cream and remove from the heat. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the spaghetti until just done, about 12 minutes. Drain and toss with the sauce and the parsley.