Slow-Cooked Beef Bolognese with Tomato and Red Wine

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

A rich, deeply flavored sauce simmered for hours with ground beef, tomatoes, and red wine, ideal for pairing with pasta or crusty bread. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 140 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, 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.

★ 4.5 (13 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 cup diced onion, 1/2 cup diced carrot, and 1/2 cup diced celery. Sauté for 8-10 minutes until softened.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef and cook until browned, breaking into small pieces. Stir in 1/2 cup red wine and simmer 5 minutes until evaporated.
  4. Step 4: Add 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup beef broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Bolognese with Tomato and Red Wine 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Bolognese with Tomato and Red Wine?

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 Slow-Cooked Beef Bolognese with Tomato and Red Wine?

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 Slow-Cooked Beef Bolognese with Tomato and Red Wine for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Bolognese with Tomato and Red Wine?

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.

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