In your dutch oven, heat a tablespoon or so of olive oil and add in the lardon bacon and cook until it just starts to crisp. Add in the onion and garlic and saute until it starts to just turn golden.

Add in the carrots and celery and saute until they just start to soften

Add in the Italian sausage and ground beef, cook through and break up into fine pieces, you almost want the meat to be more like sand than gravel.

when the meat is nearly done, add in the tomato paste and saute for a few more minutes, this develops the flavor before you add in the herbs/seasoning and liquid.

Add in all the seasonings except salt and pepper

Add in the tomatoes and broth

Bring to a simmer and cover - let it cook for about an hour and taste for salt & pepper

Simmer until you're ready to eat - the longer the better in my opinion

Serve over noodles, polenta, in lasagna or whatever you like.

Freezes well!