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Classic & Easy Weeknight Bolognese Sauce

Close-up of rich bolognese sauce generously spooned over a bed of fresh tagliatelle pasta, topped with Parmesan.
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You can create a rich, hearty, and authentic Italian meat sauce perfect for busy weeknights or cozy Sunday dinners. This recipe balances deep flavor with practical cooking time.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional, but recommended for depth)
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 pound pasta (tagliatelle or spaghetti)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot 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 (this mixture is called soffritto) to the pot. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. If using, pour in the red wine. Let it simmer and reduce by half, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, milk, oregano, and basil. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  6. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let it cook slowly for at least 45 minutes, or up to 2 hours for the best flavor. Stir occasionally.
  7. About 15 minutes before serving, cook your pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  8. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Stir a splash of the reserved pasta water into the sauce if it seems too thick.
  9. Toss the drained pasta with the rich Bolognese sauce and serve immediately.

Notes

  • For an even richer flavor, use a mix of ground beef and ground pork or veal.
  • If you skip the red wine, substitute it with an equal amount of extra beef broth mixed with 1 teaspoon of red wine vinegar.
  • This hearty beef sauce freezes very well; cool completely before storing in airtight containers.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishdiarist.com/easy-weeknight-bolognese-sauce-recipe/