Sunday Ragù alla Bolognese
A slow-simmered meat sauce using authentic Bolognese techniques with no tomatoes, featuring rich beef and wine reduction for deep, complex flavor. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 170 minutes pairs ground beef, ground pork, finely diced (1 cup) onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1, finely diced (1 cup) onion
- 1/2 cup, finely diced carrot
- 1/2 cup, finely diced celery
- 1/2 cup dry red wine
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef stock
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a heavy pot over medium-low, add ground beef and ground pork, breaking up meat with a spoon until no longer pink (8-10 minutes), then drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup finely diced onion, 1/2 cup diced carrot, and 1/2 cup diced celery; cook for 8 minutes until softened and golden.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup dry red wine and simmer until evaporated (5 minutes), then add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until deep red.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup beef stock, 1/4 cup whole milk, and 1/4 cup chopped basil; reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2.5 hours until sauce is thick and meat is tender, stirring occasionally.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sunday Ragù alla Bolognese take to make?
Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 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 Sunday Ragù alla 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 Sunday Ragù alla 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 Sunday Ragù alla Bolognese 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 Sunday Ragù alla Bolognese?
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.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
