Authentic Bolognese Ragu with Fresh Pasta
A slow-simmered meat sauce with balanced depth of flavor, made with traditional ratios of beef and pork, simmered for hours to develop true Italian authenticity. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 140 minutes pairs ground beef, ground pork, finely diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1, finely diced carrot
- 1 stalk, finely diced celery
- 1/2, finely diced onion
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 can (14 oz) tomato puree
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 12 oz freshly made pasta
Instructions
- Step 1: Sauté 1/2 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork, 1 finely diced carrot, 1 finely diced stalk celery, and 1/2 finely diced onion in a large pot over medium heat for 8 minutes until meat is browned and vegetables are softened.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until darkened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Deglaze with 1 cup red wine, scraping up browned bits, and simmer for 5 minutes until wine has evaporated and reduced by half.
- Step 4: Add 1 can (14 oz) tomato puree and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, then reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 2 hours, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Cook 12 oz freshly made pasta according to package directions until al dente, then toss with 2 cups of sauce and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Bolognese Ragu with Fresh Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Bolognese Ragu with Fresh Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Bolognese Ragu with Fresh Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Bolognese Ragu with Fresh Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Bolognese Ragu with Fresh Pasta?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
