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If you have been searching for comfort food at its finest, allow me to introduce you to this Simple Bolognese Recipe. This dish beautifully combines a rich, slow-simmered sauce bursting with fresh herbs and juicy ground beef with tender pasta, offering a classic Italian experience that’s surprisingly straightforward to prepare. Whether you are cooking a cozy family dinner or impressing friends, this recipe captures the essence of traditional Bolognese with a delightful simplicity that will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every great dish starts with quality ingredients, and this Simple Bolognese Recipe is no exception. The ingredients are simple yet crucial, each bringing its own unique flavor, texture, and color to make your sauce irresistibly delicious and vibrant.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: Adds a fruity richness and helps sautée the aromatics evenly.
- 1 medium onion, chopped: Provides a sweet and savory base flavor when cooked down.
- 2 garlic cloves, minced: Imparts a warm, inviting aroma and depth to the sauce.
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped: Gives a subtle crunch and fresh earthiness.
- 1 carrot, finely chopped: Adds natural sweetness and vibrant color to balance the sauce.
- 1 lb ground chuck beef: The hearty protein that makes this Bolognese satisfying and rich.
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, crushed: Deliver a bright, slightly tangy foundation for the sauce.
- ¼ cup flat-leaf Italian parsley, chopped: Brings fresh herbaceous notes and a pop of green.
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped: Infuses a fragrant, sweet aroma characteristic of Italian cooking.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste: Essential seasonings that bring out the natural flavors.
- ½ cup Pecorino Romano cheese, freshly grated: Adds a salty, nutty finish to elevate each bite.
- 12 oz pasta (such as pappardelle): Wide noodles that catch and hold the luscious sauce perfectly.
How to Make Simple Bolognese Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by heating your extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, stirring gently until they become soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. This slow cooking extracts their natural sweetness and sets a delicious foundation for your sauce.
Step 2: Add Vegetables
Now, toss in the finely chopped celery and carrot. These humble veggies might seem simple, but they bring a wonderful texture and natural sweetness that balances the acidity of the tomatoes. Let them cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Cook the Beef
Turn the heat up to high and add your ground chuck beef. Break it apart with your spoon or spatula, cooking until it loses its pink color and forms beautiful browned bits. This step is crucial because those caramelized edges add depth and a meaty richness that gives our Simple Bolognese Recipe its soul. This should take about 10 minutes.
Step 4: Simmer the Sauce
Time for the magic. Stir in the crushed cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley, and basil. Lower the heat to medium-low and let everything simmer gently for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to marry and the sauce to thicken. Remember to stir occasionally, and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. You’ll be amazed at how the kitchen fills with such an inviting aroma.
Step 5: Cook the Pasta
While your sauce simmers away, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook your choice of pasta, ideally wide noodles like pappardelle to catch the luscious sauce, until al dente. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes depending on the pasta. Drain well but reserve a bit of pasta water to help marry the sauce and noodles if needed.
Step 6: Combine & Serve
Finally, toss the perfectly cooked pasta with your aromatic Bolognese sauce. Make sure each strand or ribbon is lovingly coated in that rich sauce. Serve immediately, generously topped with freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese for that irresistible salty, nutty finish that makes this Simple Bolognese Recipe truly unforgettable.
How to Serve Simple Bolognese Recipe
Garnishes
While the freshly grated Pecorino Romano is a non-negotiable classic garnish, consider sprinkling chopped basil or parsley on top for a fresh pop of color. A few cracks of black pepper or a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil just before serving can elevate the dish even further, creating an inviting and restaurant-quality presentation at home.
Side Dishes
Your Simple Bolognese Recipe pairs beautifully with a crisp, green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette to contrast the rich sauce. Crusty garlic bread or a warm loaf of Italian bread is perfect for mopping up every last bit of sauce. For a full Italian experience, add a glass of red wine and roasted vegetables on the side to complement the robust flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, turn your Simple Bolognese Recipe into a baked pasta casserole by layering the Bolognese with pasta and cheese, then baking until bubbly and golden. Alternatively, serve the sauce atop polenta or creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting variation that’s guaranteed to impress. The versatility makes this recipe a crowd-pleaser in so many ways.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Bolognese sauce keeps wonderfully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container. The flavors often deepen overnight, making the next day’s meal even more delicious. Store cooked pasta separately to avoid it absorbing too much sauce and becoming mushy.
Freezing
You can freeze your Simple Bolognese sauce for up to 3 months. Place it in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Freezing is a fantastic way to save time on busy nights while still enjoying homemade goodness.
Reheating
Reheat your Bolognese gently in a saucepan over low to medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much. If reheating with pasta, combine with hot pasta or reheat pasta and sauce separately to maintain the best texture. Avoid microwaving for too long to preserve the fresh flavors and prevent drying out.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of meat for this Simple Bolognese Recipe?
Absolutely! While ground chuck beef is classic and flavorful, you can also use ground turkey, pork, or a mix for a different taste profile. Just keep in mind that leaner meats may cook faster and might need a touch of added fat for richness.
Is cherry tomatoes necessary or can I use canned tomatoes?
Canned crushed tomatoes work perfectly if fresh cherry tomatoes are not available. They provide a slightly different texture but still capture that lovely tomato flavor that is essential to the sauce.
What pasta works best with Simple Bolognese Recipe?
Wide, flat noodles such as pappardelle or tagliatelle are ideal as they hold onto the chunky sauce beautifully. However, traditional spaghetti or rigatoni also pair well if that’s what you have on hand.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
You can make a vegetarian version by substituting the ground beef with lentils, mushrooms, or a plant-based meat alternative. This keeps the sauce hearty while remaining meat-free.
How do I know when the sauce is ready?
The sauce is ready when it has thickened to a rich consistency, the vegetables are tender, and the flavors have blended beautifully, usually after about 30 minutes of simmering. You’ll notice a lovely aroma filling your kitchen, signaling it’s time to eat!
Final Thoughts
This Simple Bolognese Recipe is a true testament to how uncomplicated ingredients and straightforward steps can come together to create something sensationally comforting. It’s perfect for sharing with loved ones or simply treating yourself to a hearty, flavorful meal. I can’t wait for you to try it and make this delicious tradition a regular part of your cooking repertoire!
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Simple Bolognese Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
A classic and simple Bolognese sauce made with ground chuck beef, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs, served over perfectly cooked pappardelle pasta. This hearty dish combines slow-simmered flavors with easy-to-follow steps for a satisfying Italian meal.
Ingredients
For the Bolognese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, finely chopped
- 1 lb ground chuck beef
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, crushed
- ¼ cup flat-leaf Italian parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (such as pappardelle)
For Serving
- ½ cup Pecorino Romano cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until they become soft and fragrant, about 8 minutes.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the finely chopped celery and carrot. Continue sautéing the mixture for another 5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and blend.
- Cook the Beef: Increase the heat to high. Add the ground chuck beef to the skillet and cook until it is no longer pink, about 10 minutes, breaking up any large pieces with a spoon as it cooks.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the crushed cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley, and basil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce gently simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta once cooked.
- Combine & Serve: Toss the cooked pasta with the Bolognese sauce until well coated. Serve immediately, topped generously with freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs for best flavor, but dried can be substituted if necessary (reduce quantity by half).
- Cherry tomatoes add sweetness and depth; canned crushed tomatoes can be used if fresh are unavailable.
- For richer flavor, you can add a splash of red wine during the simmering stage.
- Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent overcooking when mixed with the sauce.
- Stir the sauce occasionally to prevent sticking or burning at the bottom of the skillet.
