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Spaghetti with homemade Bolognese sauce

Easy Homemade Bolognese Sauce

A rich, slow simmered meat sauce made with ground beef and pork, soffritto, tomato paste, wine, crushed tomatoes and milk.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course, Sauce
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 340
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Soffritto
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 oz pancetta diced, optional
  • 1 medium onion finely diced
  • 1 medium carrot finely diced
  • 1 stalk celery finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
Sauce
  • 1 lb ground beef 85% lean
  • 1/2 lb ground pork
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup dry white or red wine or broth
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes 1 can
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 pinch nutmeg
  • salt and black pepper to taste
To Serve
  • 1 lb pasta tagliatelle, pappardelle, rigatoni or spaghetti
  • Parmesan cheese grated
  • fresh basil

Method
 

  1. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven. Cook the pancetta if using, then the onion, carrot and celery for 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic for 1 minute.
  2. Add the beef and pork and brown for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking it up. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Stir in the tomato paste for 2 minutes, add the wine and simmer until mostly evaporated.
  4. Add the milk and simmer until mostly absorbed, about 5 minutes.
  5. Add the tomatoes, broth, bay leaf and nutmeg. Simmer partially covered on low for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  6. Remove the bay leaf, season and toss with cooked pasta. Serve with Parmesan and basil.

Notes

Cook ground meat to 160°F. The sauce keeps 4 days in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer.