Description
This rich homemade bolognese sauce is slow simmered with ground beef, pork, tomatoes, wine, and fresh basil for an authentic Italian meat sauce. Served with mafalde pasta and finished with pecorino cheese, it’s the ultimate comfort food dinner.
Ingredients
Bolognese Sauce
3–4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped celery
3 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1½ pounds ground beef
½ pound ground pork
1 cup dry red wine
6 ounces tomato paste
1 quart peeled tomatoes
1 quart tomato puree
¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
1 cup whole milk
For Serving
1 pound mafalde pasta
¼ cup grated pecorino romano cheese
extra fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
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Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat.
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Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 8–10 minutes until softened and fragrant.
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Add ground beef and ground pork. Break apart with a wooden spoon and cook until browned.
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Season with salt and black pepper.
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Pour in the red wine and let it simmer until reduced, about 5 minutes.
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Stir in tomato paste, peeled tomatoes, and tomato puree. Break up the tomatoes with a spoon.
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Add chopped basil and stir well.
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Reduce heat to low and let the sauce gently simmer uncovered for 1½–2 hours, stirring occasionally.
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During the last 20 minutes of cooking, stir in the whole milk to soften the acidity and create a silky texture.
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Meanwhile cook mafalde pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions.
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Drain pasta and toss with a portion of the bolognese sauce.
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Serve in bowls topped with grated pecorino romano cheese and fresh basil.
Notes
Traditional Italian bolognese is a slow simmered meat sauce that develops deep flavor over time. The longer it cooks, the richer the sauce becomes.
For best results serve with wide pasta like mafalde, pappardelle, or tagliatelle which holds the hearty sauce beautifully.
Bolognese sauce also freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 HOURS
- Category: Dinner, DINNER | PASTA, PASTA
- Method: STOVETOP
- Cuisine: Italian