We eat fish on Christmas Eve, no meat allowed. After Midnight Mass, all bets are off! We make this sauce for Christmas Day: you can't fit another meat in the pot! As many times as you reheat it, it just gets that much better, so if people are coming and going throughout the day, cook off only as much pasta as you need at the time -- half a pound for every 3 people. The sauce will cover up to 2 pounds of pasta. If you are making this full menu, prepare the fudge and chill while your sauce simmers and before you prepare your salad. When you are done eating your 30 minute meal, the fudge will have chilled for 45 minutes and will then be firm enough to slice. Happy Holidays and Merry Eating!

Ingredients

• 1/4 pound pancetta, thick cut, chopped into small bits (Italian cured pork, ask at deli counter)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 pound bulk hot Italian sausage
• 1 pound combined ground beef, pork and veal
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 rib celery, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup good quality dry red wine
• 1 cup prepared beef stock, paper container or canned
• 2 (32-ounce) cans chunky style crushed tomatoes
• Handful chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon (a couple of pinches) allspice or cinnamon
• Coarse salt and black pepper
• 2 pounds penne rigate, cooked to al dente
• Grated Pecorino Romano, as an accompaniment
• Fresh, crusty bread, for mopping

Directions