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The Ultimate Classic Beef Bolognese Sauce for Your Family Dinner

Close-up of rich bolognese sauce generously coating wide pappardelle pasta, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
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Make this rich, slow-simmered Bolognese sauce from scratch. It uses simple ingredients to create a flavorful meat sauce perfect for weeknight pasta or lasagna.

Ingredients

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  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 pound pasta (like spaghetti or tagliatelle)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 8 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. If using, pour in the red wine and let it simmer until it mostly evaporates, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  5. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, oregano, basil, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let the sauce cook slowly for at least 1 hour, or up to 3 hours for the best flavor. Stir occasionally.
  7. About 20 minutes before serving, cook your pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
  8. Remove the bay leaf from the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a little reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  9. Toss the cooked pasta with the Bolognese sauce. Serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For a quicker weeknight version, simmer the sauce for a minimum of 45 minutes.
  • You can substitute half the ground beef with ground pork or veal for a richer flavor profile.
  • This hearty meat sauce freezes well; cool completely before storing in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://rosatasty.com/bolognese-sauce-best-slow-simmered-recipe/