True Slow-Simmered Beef Bolognese
A deeply authentic Italian sauce made with slow-cooked ground beef and tomatoes, capturing the essence of a grandmother's kitchen without modern shortcuts. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 140 minutes pairs ground beef, extra-virgin olive oil, medium carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 385 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
- 200 g ground beef
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium carrots
- 1 stalk celery
- 1 medium onion
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 400 g canned crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1/2 cup beef stock
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Finely chop 1 medium carrot, 1 stalk celery, and 1 medium onion. Heat 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Sauté vegetables for 8 minutes until softened but not browned, stirring frequently.
- Step 2: Add 200 g ground beef and cook for 5 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles with a spoon, until no longer pink. Stir in 3 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until darkened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Deglaze with 1/2 cup red wine, scraping up browned bits, and simmer until evaporated (about 3 minutes). Add 400 g canned crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup beef stock, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does True Slow-Simmered Beef Bolognese 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 True Slow-Simmered Beef 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 True Slow-Simmered Beef 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 True Slow-Simmered Beef Bolognese 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 True Slow-Simmered Beef 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
- ★★★★★
Love how the Italian come through in every bite.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
