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Classic Weeknight Bolognese Sauce

Close-up of spaghetti topped generously with thick, rich bolognese sauce in a white bowl.
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Make a rich and hearty Bolognese sauce that tastes classic but comes together quickly enough for a busy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 pound pasta (spaghetti or tagliatelle recommended)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off excess fat.
  2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. If using, pour in the red wine and let it simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, until the wine reduces by half.
  5. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, oregano, basil, and bay leaf. Stir everything together well.
  6. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot partially and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor.
  7. Remove the bay leaf. Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper as needed.
  8. While the sauce finishes simmering, cook your pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
  9. Toss the drained pasta with the Bolognese sauce. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce seems too thick.
  10. Serve immediately. This sauce is excellent for meal planning and pairs well with a simple green salad.

Notes

  • For a deeper flavor profile, you can substitute half of the ground beef with ground pork or veal.
  • If you are looking for a healthier approach to your weekly meals, consider this recipe as part of your meal planning strategy instead of relying on meal delivery companies.
  • This sauce freezes well. Cool completely before storing in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/classic-weeknight-bolognese-sauce/