Name: Rich & Meaty Bolognese: Your New Favorite Dinner!
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 yellow onion (finely diced); 4 cloves garlic (crushed); 1 carrot (finely diced); 1 rib celery (finely diced); 1 pound lean ground beef; ½ pound lean ground pork; 1 ¼ cups red wine (or beef broth); 1 cup whole milk; 1 can whole tomatoes (with juices, 28 ounces each); 1 pound pasta (e.g., tagliatelle, spaghetti)

Creating a truly authentic bolognese sauce at home is a rewarding culinary experience, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, complex ragu. The secret to a perfect bolognese sauce lies in the slow simmering process and the careful layering of flavors, ensuring every component contributes to its signature depth. This recipe guides you through achieving that restaurant-quality taste, focusing on the essential techniques that yield a sauce with incredible body and savory notes. It’s a dish that embodies comfort, perfect for family dinners or a special weekend meal.

⏱ Time: 60 min

👥 Servings: 6-8

📊 Level: Medium

🥗 11 ingredients

Rich & Meaty Bolognese: Your New Favorite Dinner!

Bolognese sauce: master this classic rich and meaty ragu. Simmered to perfection, it’s ideal for coating your favorite pasta in a deeply flavorful meal.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 55

Total Time 1

Servings: 8

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 450

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion (finely diced)
4 cloves garlic (crushed)
1 carrot (finely diced)
1 rib celery (finely diced)
1 pound lean ground beef
½ pound lean ground pork
1 ¼ cups red wine (or beef broth)
1 cup whole milk
1 can whole tomatoes (with juices, 28 ounces each)
1 pound pasta (e.g., tagliatelle, spaghetti)

Method

In a large pot, cook onion in oil over medium heat until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Add garlic, carrot, and celery, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add beef and pork. Break it up with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains. Drain fat.
Add the wine and simmer uncovered until evaporated, about 10 minutes. Add milk and simmer uncovered until evaporated, about 8 minutes.
Stir in tomatoes with juice. Break tomatoes up with a spoon. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until thickened. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 ½ cups of pasta water and drain the pasta well.
Toss pasta with sauce, adding pasta water to thin it out if needed.

Notes

– For the deepest flavor, allow the bolognese sauce to simmer for at least 2 hours, or even longer, over low heat. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors meld.
– When browning the ground beef and pork, ensure you get a good sear before breaking it up too much. This develops the Maillard reaction, crucial for savory depth.
– If the sauce seems too thick after simmering, I’ve found that adding a splash of the reserved pasta water helps achieve the perfect consistency, binding the sauce to the pasta beautifully.

Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.

Pro tips

For the deepest flavor, allow the bolognese sauce to simmer for at least 2 hours, or even longer, over low heat. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors meld.
When browning the ground beef and pork, ensure you get a good sear before breaking it up too much. This develops the Maillard reaction, crucial for savory depth.
If the sauce seems too thick after simmering, I’ve found that adding a splash of the reserved pasta water helps achieve the perfect consistency, binding the sauce to the pasta beautifully.

This homemade bolognese sauce is a testament to the power of slow cooking and quality ingredients. Give it a try for your next pasta night and savor the rich, comforting flavors. Share your favorite pasta pairing in the comments!