In a large heavy-bottom pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add pancetta and render until fat is released and the pancetta is crisp, about 6-8 minutes.

Render pancetta

Push pancetta to the side, increase heat to medium-high, add ground beef, crumble, and brown deeply, about 6-8 minutes. Season with 1.5 teaspoons salt and 0.5 teaspoons black pepper.

Brown beef

Stir in diced onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until softened and translucent, 8-10 minutes.

Sauté vegetables

Add minced garlic and tomato paste; cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until paste darkens and becomes fragrant.

Add garlic and tomato paste

Pour in red wine; scrape up browned bits from bottom of pot and reduce by half, about 3-4 minutes.

Deglaze with wine

Stir in crushed tomatoes, beef stock, and whole milk. Add fresh thyme and bay leaves. Bring to a gentle boil.

Add tomatoes, stock, and milk

Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer 2.5–3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick and meat is tender. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.

Simmer ragù

Remove bay leaves and thyme; adjust seasoning as needed.

Finish aromatics

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

Cook rigatoni

Stir 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley into the ragù. Toss with drained pasta, adding reserved pasta water as needed to emulsify.

Finish sauce with cheese and parsley

Plate the rigatoni with ragù and offer extra grated Parmesan at the table.

Serve

Rigatoni pasta, dry

Ground beef

Pancetta, diced

Extra-virgin olive oil

Yellow onion, diced

Carrot, finely diced

Celery stalks, finely diced

Garlic, minced

Tomato paste

Crushed tomatoes

Beef stock

Red wine

Whole milk

Fresh thyme

Bay leaves

Kosher salt

Black pepper

Parmesan cheese, grated (24-month)

Fresh parsley, chopped

RIGATONI BOLOGNESE.

Make RIGATONI BOLOGNESE. Recipe in just 3h 30m. Braised Beef Ragù, 24-Month Parmesan

Rigatoni Bolognese. Recipe

Frequently paired with

Local Coupons