Description
A classic Pasta Bolognese recipe featuring a rich, slow-simmered meat sauce made with ground beef, vegetables, and tomatoes, served over tagliatelle pasta for a hearty and comforting Italian meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
For the Bolognese Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 celery sticks, small diced
- 2 carrot sticks, peeled and small diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon oregano
For the Pasta
- 16 ounces Tagliatelle pasta (or any pasta of choice)
- Chopped parsley, for serving
- Grated Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions, celery, carrots, and minced garlic and sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables become soft and fragrant.
- Brown the Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the pot, season with salt and black pepper, and break it up with a spoon. Cook the beef until it is browned and crumbled, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Simmer with Milk: Pour in the whole milk and allow it to simmer gently until it has mostly evaporated, about 10 minutes. This step helps tenderize the meat and adds richness to the sauce.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, and oregano. Mix everything well, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for at least 30 minutes, preferably 1-2 hours. Longer simmering deepens the sauce’s flavor. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Cook the Pasta: When ready to serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tagliatelle pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and divide it among individual bowls.
- Serve: Spoon the Bolognese sauce generously over the pasta. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and, if desired, grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Simmering the sauce longer (up to 2 hours) enhances its flavor and tenderness.
- Whole milk is used to tenderize the meat and add richness; do not substitute with skim milk for best results.
- You can use any pasta shape you prefer if tagliatelle is unavailable.
- Leftover Bolognese sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and freezes beautifully.
- For a thicker sauce, cook uncovered to allow more liquid to evaporate.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
