Description
This Simple Bolognese recipe offers a hearty and flavorful Italian classic made with ground beef, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs, served over your choice of pasta. Perfect for a comforting family meal, it combines slow-simmered crushed tomatoes and savory spices to create a rich sauce that clings beautifully to mezzi rigatoni or pappardelle.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 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
- Prepare the aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the coarsely chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until they become soft and fragrant, about 8 minutes.
- Add vegetables: Incorporate the chopped celery stalk and carrot into the skillet. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and develop flavor.
- Brown the meat: Increase the heat to high and add the ground chuck beef. Sauté until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink, approximately 10 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Simmer the sauce: Stir in the crushed cherry tomatoes, chopped Italian parsley, and basil leaves. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors meld, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper according to taste.
- Cook the pasta: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well.
- Combine and serve: Toss the drained pasta with the prepared Bolognese sauce until well coated. Serve hot for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For a richer sauce, you can add a splash of red wine when adding the crushed tomatoes.
- Using fresh herbs like basil and parsley enhances the flavor but dried herbs may be used in a pinch.
- Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground turkey or pork for a different variation.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
