Description
A classic Italian Bolognese sauce made with ground beef, aromatic vegetables, and crushed cherry tomatoes, simmered to perfection and served over your choice of pasta. This hearty and flavorful recipe takes just over an hour to prepare and is perfect for a comforting family meal.
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
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the coarsely chopped onion and garlic and sauté until they are soft and fragrant, about 8 minutes.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the chopped celery and carrot and cook for an additional 5 minutes until they soften, enhancing the base flavor of the sauce.
- Brown the Beef: Increase the heat to high and add the ground chuck beef to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is browned thoroughly and no longer pink, approximately 10 minutes.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the crushed cherry tomatoes, then add the chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley and basil leaves. Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 30 minutes until it thickens, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well.
- Toss and Serve: Combine the pasta with the Bolognese sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Serve hot for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use a mix of beef and pork instead of only ground chuck beef.
- You can add a splash of red wine while simmering the sauce for depth of flavor.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper gradually to suit your taste.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese pairs beautifully with this dish when serving.
- Use fresh herbs when possible for maximum flavor.
