Genuine Italian Bolognese
A slow-cooked, meaty sauce with tomatoes and herbs, perfect over pasta. This italian-inspired mediterranean ready in about 120 minutes pairs ground beef, medium, diced onion, small, diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 lb ground beef
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 1 small, diced carrot
- 1/2 stalk, diced celery
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 12 oz pasta
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 2: Add ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Stir in tomato puree, tomato paste, red wine, and beef broth. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 3: Cover and cook for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and flavors meld. Season with salt, pepper, and oregano.
- Step 4: Cook pasta in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Toss with Bolognese and serve.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Genuine Italian Bolognese take to make?
Total time is about 120 minutes (30 min prep + 90 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 Genuine Italian Bolognese?
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 Genuine Italian Bolognese?
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 Genuine Italian Bolognese 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 Genuine Italian Bolognese?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
