Description
A classic and hearty Pasta Bolognese recipe featuring a rich meat sauce simmered with vegetables, tomatoes, and herbs, served over tender tagliatelle pasta for a comforting Italian meal.
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 celery sticks, small diced
- 2 carrot sticks, peeled and small diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon oregano
Pasta and Garnish
- 16 ounces Tagliatelle pasta (or any pasta of choice)
- Chopped parsley, for serving
- Grated Parmesan cheese, optional for serving
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions, celery, carrots, and minced garlic. Sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Brown the Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the pot. Season with salt and black pepper. Break up the meat with a spoon and cook until browned and crumbled completely, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Simmer with Milk: Pour in the whole milk and let it simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until most of the milk has evaporated. This should take about 10 minutes and helps to tenderize the beef and mellow the flavors.
- Add Tomatoes and Herbs: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, and oregano. Mix everything well, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce simmer uncovered for at least 30 minutes, preferably 1 to 2 hours, to deepen the flavor. Remove from heat and discard the bay leaf before serving.
- Cook Pasta and Serve: When ready to serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tagliatelle pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and divide pasta into individual bowls. Spoon the Bolognese sauce over the pasta and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Simmering the sauce for longer than 30 minutes (up to 2 hours) enriches the flavor and texture.
- Whole milk helps tenderize the meat and adds creaminess to the sauce.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor if adding as garnish.
- You can substitute tagliatelle with any other pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine.
- Store leftover sauce separately from pasta to prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
