Bolognese Recipe
Classic Italian meat sauce served over pasta.
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Ingredients
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Meat Sauce
Pasta
Garnish
Method
Meat Sauce Preparation
- 1
Sauté Vegetables
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent.
- 2
Add Garlic and Meat
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Then add the ground beef and ground pork to the skillet. Cook until the meat is browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.
- 3
Deglaze with Wine
Pour in the red wine and bring to a simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the alcohol to evaporate and the sauce to reduce slightly.
- 4
Add Tomatoes and Seasonings
Stir in the crushed canned tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and bring to a gentle boil.
- 5
Simmer the Sauce
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the sauce thickens too much, add a little water or broth.
- 6
Finish with Milk
Stir in the milk and let it simmer for an additional 10 minutes. This will add creaminess and balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
Pasta Cooking
- 7
Boil Pasta
In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add a tablespoon of salt. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- 8
Drain Pasta
Once the pasta is cooked, reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta in a colander.
Serving
- 9
Combine and Garnish
In the pot with the drained pasta, add the Bolognese sauce and mix well, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency. Serve topped with chopped fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.





