stats count Print

The Most Exquisite Bolognese

This recipe for “The Most Exquisite Bolognese” is not just another meat sauce; it’s a culinary journey to the heart of Italian comfort food, elevated to a level of rich, deep flavor that will redefine your understanding of Bolognese

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 3 Tablespoons heavy cream
  • 3 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 3–4 ounces pancetta, or bacon, finely chopped
  • 1 large onion, finely diced
  • 1 medium carrot, peeled, finely diced
  • 2 celery stalks, finely diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly cracked pepper
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1 28-oz can good-quality whole tomatoes, hand crushed
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • Pinch of finely grated nutmeg
  • 1 Tablespoon butter (optional)
  • 1 pound pasta (such as rigatoni, tagliatelle, pappardelle)
  • 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Marinate Beef: Mix ground beef with 3 tablespoons heavy cream. Cover and place in fridge for 2-4 hours, or overnight.
  2. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 325ºF.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Heat a large pan or Dutch oven, over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1 tablspoon olive oil. Add the pancetta and sauté until golden brown. Stir in the onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté until softened. Add garlic and sauté for another minute. Stir in the tomato paste and sauté until it starts to darken and caramelize. Remove the mixture to a plate and reserve.
  4. Brown Beef: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to the hot pan followed by the ground beef. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste. Cook, breaking lumps with a wooden spoon until browned.
  5. Combine and Simmer: Return the reserved pancetta and onion mixture to the pot. Add the white wine and cook until the wine is mostly evaporated. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, milk, chicken stock, and nutmeg. Season with a pinch more salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste. Bring to a strong simmer then place the pan, uncovered, in the preheated oven.
  6. Bake.
  7. Add butter.
  8. Cook Pasta
  9. Combine and serve

Find it online: https://dailyfoodjournal.net/the-most-exquisite-bolognese/