Slow-Simmered Bolognese with Milk-Reduced Ragù
An authentic Italian ragù that transforms ground beef and pork into a velvety, deeply flavored sauce through slow reduction and a touch of milk. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 160 minutes pairs Ground beef, Ground pork, Tomato passata for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
- 8 oz Ground beef
- 4 oz Ground pork
- 1 cup Tomato passata
- 1/4 cup Diced carrot
- 1/4 cup Diced celery
- 1/2 cup Diced onion
- 2 cloves minced Garlic
- 1/2 cup Red wine
- 1/4 cup Whole milk
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a heavy pot over medium heat, add onion, carrot, and celery, and sauté for 8 minutes until softened but not browned.
- Step 2: Add garlic and ground beef/pork, breaking up clumps with a spoon, and cook 5 minutes until no pink remains.
- Step 3: Pour in red wine and simmer until evaporated, about 3 minutes, then stir in tomato passata, salt, and pepper.
- Step 4: Add milk and bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover partially.
- Step 5: Simmer uncovered for 2 hours, stirring every 20 minutes, until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 6: Remove lid, increase heat slightly, and simmer uncovered for 10 more minutes to deepen flavors.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Bolognese with Milk-Reduced Ragù take to make?
Total time is about 160 minutes (20 min prep + 140 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 with Milk-Reduced Ragù?
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 with Milk-Reduced Ragù?
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 with Milk-Reduced Ragù 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 with Milk-Reduced Ragù?
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
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 140-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
