Italian Ragu Bolognese

Ragu Bolognese is a classic Italian meat sauce that is traditionally served with pasta. Here is a recipe that serves 4-6 people:

 


Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef (or a combination of ground beef and pork)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup dry red wine
  • 1 can (28 ounces) of crushed tomatoes
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

Steps:

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the pan and cook until they are softened and lightly browned, about 8 minutes.
  3. Add the garlic to the pan and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
  5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Cook the beef until it is browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
  7. Pour the wine into the pan and cook until it has reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
  8. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, bay leaf, basil, oregano, and sugar.
  9. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
  10. Remove the bay leaf and season the sauce with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
  11. Serve the sauce over your favourite pasta, topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese.



Enjoy your delicious and hearty Ragu Bolognese! The long cooking time allows the flavors to develop and intensify, making it the perfect sauce for a cozy night in. You can also make this sauce in advance and freeze it for a quick and easy meal later.