Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 carrot, grated (about 1/2 cup)

1 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

3/4 pound ground beef

1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes

1/2 cup milk

1 dried bay leaf

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Coarse salt and ground pepper

1 pound fettuccine

Grated Parmesan, for serving

Preparation

Heat butter and oil in a large saucepan over medium. Stir in carrot, onion, and garlic. Add ground beef, and cook until it turns from pink to brown, about 5 minutes.

Add tomatoes and their liquid, crushing them with the back of a large spoon. Stir in milk, bay leaf, thyme, nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Simmer 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook fettuccine until al dente according to package instructions, about 12 minutes. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the cooking water; drain fettuccine, and return to the warm pot. Add meat sauce, and toss. Add pasta water as needed if the sauce seems dry. To serve, sprinkle with Parmesan.