Bolognese
“Rich, slow-simmered Emilian meat sauce of beef, pork, tomato, soffritto, and wine, served over tagliatelle.”
Tomato
Onion
Carrot
Celery
Red Wine
Olive OilWhere it comes from
Bolognese sauce, or ragù alla Bolognese, hails from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, where it has been perfected over centuries. This rich, slow-cooked meat sauce is often served over tagliatelle, reflecting the Italian philosophy of pairing pasta with robust sauces. Interestingly, traditional recipes include a small amount of milk to round out the flavors and soften the acidity of the tomatoes.
On the Palate
Ingredients
Serves 6
How it's made
6 steps · Show ↓38 min active · 90 min waiting
How it's made
6 steps · Show ↓- 18 min
Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add a generous glug of olive oil, enough to coat the bottom, and wait until it shimmers. Add finely chopped onion, carrot, and celery, stirring them until they soften and release their sweet aroma, about 8 minutes.
Watch outDon't let the vegetables brown; they should soften and become translucent.
- 210 min
Increase the heat slightly and add the ground beef and pork. Break the meat apart with a wooden spoon, stirring continuously until it loses its pink hue and begins to brown, about 10 minutes.
Watch outAvoid overcrowding the pot, which can cause the meat to steam rather than brown.
- 35 min
Pour in the red wine, using it to deglaze the pot by scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let the wine simmer until it reduces by half, its aroma deepening, about 5 minutes.
- 45 min
Stir in the crushed tomatoes and minced garlic, ensuring everything is well combined. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
- 55 min
Pour in the milk slowly, stirring constantly to incorporate it smoothly into the sauce. Let the sauce simmer gently, partially covered, for at least 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Watch outStir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom and burning.
- 65 min
Towards the end of cooking, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
