Italian Bolognese Pasta
A hearty, slow-simmered Bolognese sauce with tender meat and vegetables, perfect over al dente pasta. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 120 minutes pairs ground beef, medium, diced onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1 small, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup, chopped dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 12 oz pasta (spaghetti)
- 1/2 cup, grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Brown beef for 5 minutes, then add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 8 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Stir in tomato paste, dried tomatoes, red wine, milk, and tomato puree. Season with salt, pepper, and simmer for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thick and rich.
- Step 3: Cook pasta in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Toss with Bolognese sauce, top with parmesan, and serve.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Italian Bolognese Pasta 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 Italian Bolognese 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 Italian Bolognese 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 Italian Bolognese 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 Italian Bolognese 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
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better general dishes though.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
