Comfort food 101: Beef & mushroom bolognese

Ingredients

• 30ml olive oil
• 1 onion, peeled & chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled & chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 4 sprigs thyme, woody stalks removed
• 250g beef mince
• 250g button mushrooms, sliced
• 1 can chopped tomatoes
• 1 cup beef stock
• 5 ml (1teaspoon) sugar
• 5 ml (1 teaspoon) smoked paprika
• salt & pepper to taste
• freshly cooked pasta (like spaghetti), to serve
• fresh basil leaves, for serving (optional)
• grated parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)