Authentic Bolognese with House-Made Pasta

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A slow-simmered meat sauce using equal parts beef and pork, simmered for 2 hours to develop deep flavor, served over freshly made pasta for true Italian tradition. This italian-inspired mediterranean ready in about 130 minutes pairs ground beef, ground pork, carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

★ 4.0 (15 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 110 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a heavy pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat; add 1 finely diced onion, 1 finely diced carrot, and 1 finely diced celery stalk. Sauté for 8 minutes until softened but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until deep red and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 200g ground beef and 200g ground pork; break into small crumbles with a wooden spoon and cook for 5 minutes until no pink remains.
  4. Step 4: Deglaze with 100ml red wine, scraping up browned bits, and simmer until wine evaporates (about 3 minutes).
  5. Step 5: Stir in 400g low-sodium tomato sauce and simmer uncovered for 1 hour and 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and rich — reduce heat to low to prevent sticking.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 5g chopped fresh basil just before serving to preserve its aroma.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Authentic Bolognese with House-Made Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 130 minutes (20 min prep + 110 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 with House-Made 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 with House-Made 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 with House-Made 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 with House-Made Pasta?

Italian mediterranean 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.

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