Best Beef Bolognese Recipe

Get ready to enjoy the ultimate comfort food with this Best Beef Bolognese recipe. Rich, hearty, and packed with flavor, this classic Italian dish is perfect for cozy family dinners or special gatherings. The secret to an amazing Bolognese lies in slow-cooking the beef with a medley of vegetables, tomatoes, and red wine until it reaches a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth consistency. Served over your favorite pasta, this Bolognese sauce is sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.

With this Best Beef Bolognese recipe, you can look forward to a rich and savory sauce that’s full of deep, complex flavors. The slow-cooked beef combined with aromatic vegetables and a splash of red wine creates a hearty and satisfying meal. Each bite is an explosion of flavor, making it the perfect dish to warm you up on a chilly evening. This recipe is sure to impress your family and friends, making it an excellent choice for any occasion.

Tools to Use

Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
Wooden spoon or spatula
Chef’s knife
Cutting board
Measuring cups and spoons
Large pot for cooking pasta
Colander

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1 cup whole milk
1 cup dry red wine
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1 pound pasta (such as tagliatelle, fettuccine, or pappardelle)

Instructions

Prepare the Vegetables:
- Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and translucent, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Cook the Meat:
- Add the ground beef and ground pork to the pot. Break the meat apart with a wooden spoon or spatula and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 10 minutes.
- Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Add the Milk:
- Pour in the whole milk and stir to combine. Allow the milk to simmer until it has mostly evaporated, about 5-7 minutes. This step helps tenderize the meat.
Add the Wine and Tomatoes:
- Pour in the red wine and stir to combine. Let it simmer until the wine has mostly evaporated, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir to combine.
Season and Simmer:
- Add the dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the sauce simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will develop.
Finish the Sauce:
- Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Cook the Pasta:
- While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Serve:
- Toss the cooked pasta with the Bolognese sauce until well coated. Serve hot with extra grated Parmesan cheese on the side.

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Best Beef Bolognese Recipe

Equipment

Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
Wooden spoon or spatula
Chef’s knife
Cutting board
Measuring cups and spoons
Large pot (for cooking pasta)
Colander

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion finely chopped
2 carrots finely chopped
2 celery stalks finely chopped
4 cloves garlic minced
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1 cup whole milk
1 cup dry red wine
1 can 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
1 pound pasta such as tagliatelle, fettuccine, or pappardelle

Instructions

Prepare the Vegetables:
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the finely chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and translucent, about 8-10 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Cook the Meat:
Add the ground beef and ground pork to the pot. Break the meat apart with a wooden spoon or spatula and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 10 minutes.
Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Add the Milk:
Pour in the whole milk and stir to combine. Allow the milk to simmer until it has mostly evaporated, about 5-7 minutes. This step helps tenderize the meat.
Add the Wine and Tomatoes:
Pour in the red wine and stir to combine. Let it simmer until the wine has mostly evaporated, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir to combine.
Season and Simmer:
Add the dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the sauce simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will develop.
Finish the Sauce:
Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Cook the Pasta:
While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Serve:
Toss the cooked pasta with the Bolognese sauce until well coated. Serve hot with extra grated Parmesan cheese on the side.

Tips for Cooking

Quality Meat: Use a mix of ground beef and pork for a richer flavor. You can also add pancetta or bacon for an extra layer of depth.
Slow Cooking: The key to a great Bolognese is patience. Letting the sauce simmer for a longer time allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Wine and Milk: Don’t skip the steps of adding wine and milk. They help build the sauce’s complexity and tenderize the meat.
Fresh Herbs: If possible, use fresh herbs for a more vibrant taste. Add them towards the end of cooking to maintain their freshness.

Why You Should Try This Recipe

This Best Beef Bolognese recipe is a must-try because it delivers a deliciously rich and hearty sauce that’s perfect for pasta. The combination of slow-cooked beef, aromatic vegetables, and a hint of red wine creates a depth of flavor that’s hard to beat. It’s a comforting, satisfying dish that’s perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or anytime you crave a taste of Italy. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be stored in the fridge or freezer for future meals.

We hope you enjoy making and devouring this Best Beef Bolognese recipe as much as we do. It’s a classic dish that’s sure to become a favorite in your household. Happy cooking!