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Classic Pasta Bolognese Recipe

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4 from 14 reviews

A classic Italian Pasta Bolognese recipe featuring a rich, slowly simmered meat sauce made with ground beef, vegetables, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs, served over tagliatelle or your favorite pasta. This hearty and comforting dish is perfect for family dinners and easy to prepare within an hour.

Ingredients

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 celery sticks, small diced
  • 2 carrot sticks, peeled and small diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Pasta and Garnish

  • 16 ounces Tagliatelle pasta (or any pasta of choice)
  • Chopped parsley for serving
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions, celery, carrots, and minced garlic. Sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
  2. Brown the Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the pot and season with salt and black pepper. Break up the meat using a spoon and cook until it is fully browned and crumbled, stirring occasionally.
  3. Simmer with Milk: Pour in the whole milk and let it simmer gently until it mostly evaporates, about 10 minutes. This step tenderizes the beef and adds richness to the sauce.
  4. Add Tomatoes and Herbs: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, oregano, and nutmeg. Mix everything together, then bring the mixture to a boil.
  5. Simmer the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for at least 30 minutes, though 1 to 2 hours is preferable to deepen the flavors. Stir occasionally and remove the bay leaf before serving.
  6. Cook the Pasta: When the sauce is ready, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tagliatelle pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
  7. Serve: Plate the cooked pasta into individual bowls. Spoon the Bolognese sauce generously over the top. Garnish with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

  • For a deeper flavor, simmer the sauce for 1-2 hours instead of 30 minutes.
  • You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or pork for variations.
  • If whole milk is not available, you can use 2% milk, but whole milk yields better tenderness.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor in garnish.
  • Leftover Bolognese sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freezes up to 3 months.

Find it online: https://dishcooks.com/classic-pasta-bolognese-recipe/