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The Ultimate Authentic Beef Bolognese Sauce Recipe

Close-up of hearty bolognese sauce generously spooned over wide, fresh egg pasta ribbons in a white bowl.
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Learn to make a rich, hearty, and authentic Italian beef bolognese sauce. This recipe is perfect for slow simmering to develop deep flavor, making it ideal for pasta night or batch cooking for weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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 (like Chianti or Merlot)
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 pound spaghetti or tagliatelle pasta

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
  2. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off excess fat.
  3. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  4. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the red wine. Let it simmer and reduce by half, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  6. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, whole milk, beef broth, oregano, and basil. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and let it slow simmer for at least 1.5 hours, or up to 3 hours for the best flavor. Stir occasionally.
  8. About 20 minutes before serving, cook your pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
  9. Drain the pasta and toss it with the bolognese sauce. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce seems too thick.
  10. Serve immediately. This is the best spaghetti bolognese you will make.

Notes

  • For a quicker weeknight version, simmer the sauce for a minimum of 45 minutes, though longer simmering greatly improves the depth of flavor.
  • You can substitute half the ground beef with ground pork or veal for a more traditional mix.
  • This hearty beef pasta sauce freezes well; cool completely before storing in airtight containers for up to three months.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yumdrizzle.com/hearty-1-hour-bolognese-sauce-comfort/