Authentic Bolognese Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tbspolive oil
- 1small/medium carrot
- 1 smallcelery stalk
- 1 smallonion
- 10.5 ozground beef
70-80%
- 10.5 ozground pork
- ½ cdry red wine
- 2 tbsptomato paste
- 2 ¼ ctomato puree
passata
- 2 pinchsalt
- 2 dashpepper
- 1whole bay leaves
- ⅓ cmilk
2 % or whole milk
Directions
- 1
Cut the carrot, celery and onion very fine (but not too much that it becomes pulpy when cooked).
- 2
In a medium to large heavy pot add the olive oil and chopped vegetables, cook covered on low heat (stirring occasionally) until onion is transparent.
- 3
Increase the heat to medium and add the ground beef and pork. Stirring as the meat is cooking to break up the pieces. Once the meat has browned turned the heat up to high and add the wine.
- 4
Cook until the alcohol has evaporated (about 20-30 seconds) and the liquid has evaporated. Decrease the heat to medium/low and add the tomato paste, puree, salt, pepper and bay leaf. Gradually decrease the heat to the lowest setting cover and let simmer for three hours (the mixture should not boil). Stir occasionally.
- 5
After the time has passed remove the bay leaf and add the milk, heat thoroughly for a couple of minutes. Serve over cooked pasta. Enjoy!
Authentic Bolognese Sauce
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About this Recipe
Craving the deep, comforting flavors of a truly authentic Bolognese sauce? This recipe for Authentic Bolognese Sauce, also known as Ragu alla Bolognese, delivers that rich, slow-simmered perfection you dream of, right in your own kitchen.
Why This Bolognese Sauce Works
The secret to this outstanding ragu lies in the commitment to fresh, quality ingredients and a low and slow cooking method. By combining both ground beef and ground pork, you get a beautiful balance of richness and texture. The patient simmer allows all the flavors from the aromatic vegetables, red wine, tomato puree, and milk to meld into a deeply savory, complex sauce that tastes far superior to any quick version.
What to Expect from Your Ragu alla Bolognese
Prepare for a truly special meal. You'll be rewarded with an incredibly rich, meaty sauce that coats pasta beautifully. The texture is tender and luxurious, with a subtle sweetness from the slowly cooked vegetables and the essential addition of milk, which adds an unmistakable creaminess and depth that makes this Bolognese truly authentic. It's a labor of love that is well worth the time spent, transforming simple ingredients into something extraordinary.
This isn't a quick weeknight meal, but a project for a leisurely afternoon that pays dividends in flavor. The result is a savory, umami-rich experience, perfect for gathering around the table.
Customization & Variations
While this recipe uses a classic combination of ground beef and ground pork, you can slightly adjust the ratio to your preference, as long as the total meat amount remains the same. You could also experiment with different dry red wines, keeping in mind that the wine's quality will influence the final sauce. For those who enjoy a little extra warmth, a pinch of red pepper flakes could be added during the sautéing of the aromatics.
Serving & Context
This Authentic Bolognese Sauce is ideally served with wide, flat pasta like tagliatelle or pappardelle, allowing the thick sauce to cling perfectly to each strand. It's a fantastic centerpiece for a cozy family dinner or a delightful meal to impress guests on a special occasion.