Description
This Simple Bolognese recipe is a classic Italian meat sauce made with ground beef, aromatic vegetables, crushed cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Slow-simmered to develop rich flavors, it pairs perfectly with pappardelle or mezzi rigatoni pasta for a hearty and comforting meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, coarsely chopped
- 1 carrot, coarsely chopped
- 1 pound ground chuck beef
- 2 cans (14 ounces each) crushed cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley
- 8 fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 1 pound pasta (such as mezzi rigatoni or pappardelle)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the coarsely chopped onion and garlic, sautéing them until they become soft and translucent, about 8 minutes, developing their sweetness and aroma.
- Add Vegetables: Incorporate the chopped celery and carrot into the skillet, cooking them for an additional 5 minutes to soften and blend their flavors into the base of the sauce.
- Brown the Beef: Increase the heat to high and add the ground chuck beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Sauté the meat until it is fully browned and no longer pink, approximately 10 minutes, ensuring even cooking and caramelization.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the crushed cherry tomatoes, chopped Italian parsley, and chopped fresh basil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer gently, uncovered, for about 30 minutes until the sauce thickens and flavors meld beautifully. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the drained pasta with the Bolognese sauce until well coated. Serve hot, garnished with additional parsley or basil if desired.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, you can brown the vegetables slightly before adding the meat.
- Using ground chuck beef provides a good balance of lean meat and fat for a rich sauce; you may also add ground pork for variation.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend the crushed tomatoes before adding them.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the pasta with gluten-free varieties like rice or corn pasta.
