Description
A rich and hearty Italian-style Bolognese sauce slow-simmered in a Dutch oven with ground beef, aromatic vegetables, tomatoes, and herbs. Perfectly paired with pasta, this comforting dish makes for a satisfying family dinner that’s packed with flavor and tradition.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 700 g ground beef
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 carrots, finely diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Sauces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 800 g crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- ½ cup whole milk
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Pasta and Garnish
- 450 g spaghetti, tagliatelle, or rigatoni
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the base: Warm the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the vegetables.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the hot oil and cook for 6–8 minutes until they become soft and fragrant.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds to release its aroma without burning.
- Brown the beef: Add the ground beef, cooking until it turns brown, breaking it apart with a spoon to ensure even cooking.
- Incorporate tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen the sauce’s flavor.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and whole milk. Then add dried oregano, dried basil, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer the sauce: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Partially cover the Dutch oven and let it simmer slowly for 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally to develop rich flavors.
- Cook pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook your pasta according to package instructions. Reserve some pasta water before draining.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Remove the bay leaf from the sauce. Toss the cooked pasta with the Bolognese sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve the perfect consistency.
- Serve: Plate the pasta, topping generously with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for an aromatic finishing touch.
Notes
- The longer the sauce simmers, the richer and more developed the flavors become.
- For variation, replace ground beef with a mixture of beef and pork for a more traditional flavor profile.
- Leftover Bolognese sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months – just thaw and reheat for an easy meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Course, Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
