Sunday Sauce: Bolognese over Polenta — San Gennaro

Ingredients

• 1 tube San Gennaro Polenta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 medium stalk celery with leaves, finely diced
• 3 small carrot, finely diced
• 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 pound ground spicy Italian sausage
• 1 can (6oz) tomato paste
• ½ cup dry red wine
• 1 can (28 ounce) crushed tomatoes
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 parmesan rind
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
• 1 cup half and half (or milk)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste