Slow-Simmered Bolognese Tagliatelle
A true Italian masterpiece where ground beef and pork meld with tomatoes and wine for 3 hours, creating a rich, deeply savory sauce that clings perfectly to hand-rolled tagliatelle. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 225 minutes pairs ground beef, ground pork, 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
- 250g ground beef
- 150g ground pork
- 100g diced carrot
- 75g diced celery
- 150g diced onion
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 120ml dry red wine
- 400g canned crushed tomatoes
- 250ml beef stock
- 50g freshly grated Parmesan
- 300g tagliatelle pasta
Instructions
- Step 1: In a heavy Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-low heat. Add diced carrot, celery, and onion; cook for 10 minutes until translucent and softened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add ground beef and pork, breaking them up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 minutes until no longer pink, then stir in 3 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until it deepens in color.
- Step 3: Pour in 120ml red wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze; simmer until wine evaporates, about 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Add 400g canned crushed tomatoes and 250ml beef stock, then bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until sauce thickens and meat is tender.
- Step 5: Cook 300g tagliatelle in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 6: Toss drained pasta with 3/4 of the Bolognese sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a glossy coating. Serve immediately with freshly grated Parmesan.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Bolognese Tagliatelle take to make?
Total time is about 225 minutes (45 min prep + 180 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-Simmered Bolognese Tagliatelle?
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-Simmered Bolognese Tagliatelle?
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-Simmered Bolognese Tagliatelle 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 Slow-Simmered Bolognese Tagliatelle?
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
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
