Slow Simmered Bolognese Pasta Sauce - Hempler's Foods

Ingredients

• 4 slices Hempler’s 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 Hempler’s Ground Hot Italian Sausage
• 1 can (6oz) tomato paste
• 1/2 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 heavy cream or milk)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste