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A plate of pappardelle with ragu alla bolognese.

Authentic Bolognese Sauce

lynn
Meat and vegetables gently simmered with wine, broth, tomato sauce and milk offer a depth of savory richness that's hard to match. It's a hearty and filling meal that goes beyond a simple meat sauce.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Course Main Dish Recipes
Cuisine Italian
Servings 3 quarts
Calories 1511 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 8 ounces pancetta bacon diced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 carrots peeled
  • 4 stalks of celery
  • 2 medium onions
  • 2 pounds of ground meat half ground beef and pork is traditional
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 24 ounces of tomato puree
  • 1 1/2 cup red or white wine
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Instructions
 

  • Mince carrots, celery, and onion. I used my food processor to get a nice fine grind of these vegetables. You could also mince the pancetta using your food processor as well.
  • Add butter and olive oil to a heavy-bottomed dutch oven.
  • Add pancetta and cook for 5 minutes on medium.
  • Add vegetables and turn the temperature to medium-low. Sautee for 8-10 minutes until vegetables are cooked. You want them soft but not browned.
  • Add nutmeg, bay leaves and meat. Break the meat up with a spoon until it is a fine mince. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes. You want the meat to cook, but not get browned.
  • When meat is no longer pink, add milk and cook for 10 minutes on medium-low.
  • Then add broth, tomato paste, tomato puree, and wine. Cook on your lowest simmer for 3-4 hours. I use a simmer plate on my stove to get a really slow simmer. Your bolognese will be done when it has the consistency of a loose chili.
  • Season with salt and pepper.

Notes

Bolognese freezes beautifully. In fact, if you have time, make it a day before you serve it to allow the flavors to meld even more.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 1511kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 74gFat: 104gSaturated Fat: 41gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 43gTrans Fat: 4gCholesterol: 299mgSodium: 1742mgPotassium: 3003mgFiber: 9gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 15634IUVitamin C: 38mgCalcium: 343mgIron: 12mg
Keyword bolognese, pasta
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