Cooking for my folks. Wanted to do meatballs, but they wanted Bolognese, no ricotta. So I slow cooked a sauce. Heated Olive oil (infused with fresh thyme), sauteed onion and pressed garlic, add diced fresh tomato. Add ground meat. Salt and pepper, pinch of red pepper flakes. Brown and drain. Add sauce, salt pepper, bit of oregano, fresh chopped parsley and basil, bay leaf, some water. Stir to a simmer. Turn to low, covered, stirring occasionally. This one I left 3 hours, but even longer is better. Sauce tasted great, didn't even need to add sugar Eventually boil penne, with a splash of olive oil and pinch of salt. Drain. Make layers in baking dish with sauce (remove bay leaf), shredded mozzarella, pasta, repeating. Had to add extra sauce for the top, so it doesn't look as thick, but think it was better for presentation. Top with whole mozzarella medallions and fresh basil. Cook half hour ish. Let sit. Edit: maybe should've added basil at the end. Got a little burnt in the oven For some reason, assuming she's Italian I'm gonna dedicate this to @GOTHAMGIRL in the hopes she gives me a baby goat.