Description
When it comes to Italian cuisine, few dishes are as beloved and comforting as ragù alla Bolognese. This hearty meat sauce, traditionally paired with pappardelle, has a rich, savory flavor that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting an Italian dinner night or craving a cozy homemade meal, ragù alla Bolognese is the ultimate choice.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- Olive oil for sautéing
- Fresh herbs (thyme, bay leaves)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the vegetables: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Cook the meat: Add the ground meat to the pan and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
- Deglaze with wine: Once the meat is browned, add the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let the wine reduce for 2-3 minutes.
- Add tomatoes and cream: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and milk (or cream). Add the fresh herbs and season with salt and pepper.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for at least 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or broth if the sauce thickens too much.
- Serve: Once the sauce has simmered to a rich, thick consistency, it’s ready to serve. Pair it with your cooked pappardelle and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Use quality meat: The better the meat, the richer your sauce will be. Consider using a combination of ground beef and pork for the best flavor.
- Don’t rush the simmering process: The longer you let the sauce cook, the more intense the flavor. Aim for at least 1-2 hours of slow simmering.
- Season to taste: Bolognese sauce gets better as it sits, so make sure to taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmered
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Ragù alla Bolognese, Italian Bolognese sauce, Bolognese pasta, ragù sauce, pappardelle pasta, authentic Italian sauce