Name: Classic Italian Pasta Bolognese: 2 Hours
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h 15 min
Total time: 2 h 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 250 g ground beef; 250 g ground pork; 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 1 medium carrot, finely chopped; 2 celery stalks, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 400 g canned plum tomatoes; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 150 ml dry red wine; 100 ml milk or cream; 1 tsp dried or fresh basil; 1 tsp dried or fresh oregano; 2 bay leaves; Salt, to taste; Black pepper, to taste; Olive oil, for sautéing; 400 g pasta (tagliatelle, pappardelle, or spaghetti); Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, to serve

Description

Enjoy this Classic Italian Pasta Bolognese, a rich and satisfying meat sauce perfect for a comforting meal. This recipe is designed for beginners, making it simple and stress-free to create an authentic Italian dish.

Ingredients

250 g ground beef
250 g ground pork
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 medium carrot, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
400 g canned plum tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
150 ml dry red wine
100 ml milk or cream
1 tsp dried or fresh basil
1 tsp dried or fresh oregano
2 bay leaves
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Olive oil, for sautéing
400 g pasta (tagliatelle, pappardelle, or spaghetti)
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, to serve

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Instructions

Prepare the Soffritto: Finely chop onion, carrot, and celery. Heat olive oil in a large pan and sauté these vegetables until soft and translucent.
Brown the Meat: Add ground beef and pork to the soffritto. Cook over medium heat, breaking up the meat and browning evenly.
Deglaze with Red Wine: Pour in red wine, stirring and scraping any browned bits from the pan to infuse flavor.
Add Tomatoes and Tomato Paste: Stir in canned plum tomatoes and tomato paste until well blended.
Simmer Gently: Lower heat to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Finish with Milk and Seasonings: Add milk or cream to soften the acidity and enrich texture. Season with salt, pepper, basil, oregano, and bay leaves. Simmer for another 15 minutes.
Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve a bit of pasta water.
Combine and Serve: Toss pasta with the Bolognese sauce until well coated. Serve hot with freshly grated Parmesan; optional garnishes include torn basil leaves and a drizzle of quality olive oil.

Notes

For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of milk or cream at the end of the simmering process.
Adjust seasoning to your preference.
Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian