True-to-Original Italian Bolognese
A slow-simmered meat sauce embodying the 'authentic' spirit of Italian tradition, with no modern shortcuts and deeply layered flavors. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 140 minutes pairs ground beef, ground pork, diced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1/2 cup diced carrots
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then add 1/2 cup diced carrots, 1/2 cup diced celery, and 1/2 cup diced onion. Cook for 8 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 2 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef and 1/2 lb ground pork, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 5 minutes until browned.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Step 5: Pour in 1/2 cup red wine and simmer for 3 minutes until alcohol evaporates.
- Step 6: Add 2 cups tomato sauce, 1 cup beef broth, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low.
- Step 7: Cover and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Step 8: Serve over cooked pasta, topped with 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does True-to-Original Italian 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-to-Original Italian 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-to-Original Italian 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-to-Original Italian 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-to-Original Italian 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
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
