This hearty Rigatoni Bolognese Recipe is the perfect dish for cozy Sunday dinners.
There is truly nothing cozier than that first chilly Sunday of early fall when the air has just enough crispiness to wear your favorite sweatshirt in the evening. For some of us, weather like this is right around the corner. And while I’ll admit that I spent this afternoon on the beach (I’ll soak up what’s left of summer, thank you very much) I am also really looking forward to cozy fall Sundays like this. The cooler weather is certainly welcomed, but I’m really most excited about the deliciously hearty meals that come along with it. This classic Italian dish is the answer to my “easy but delicious Sunday dinner” prayers. It’s so simple to prepare that you’ll forget that the history behind it is as rich as its sauce.
The recipe for bolognese sauce originates all the way from Bologna, Italy. It comes from the traditional “ragu” of this region, a long-simmered meat sauce typically served with a broad, flat pasta, like tagliatelle. While bolognese sauce is often compared to the American-style meat sauce served with spaghetti, there is an important distinction to make between the two. An authentic bolognese sauce is thicker and includes dairy and white wine for a deeper flavor profile. However, red wine can also be used, like in this recipe. No hate to the lovers of meat sauce and spaghetti, but this rigatoni bolognese wins the match-up for me any day of the week (but especially on Sundays).
It’s dishes like this that warm me up from the inside out and get my taste buds buzzing. The ingredients are simple, but the flavor profile is anything but. The spices, red wine, and meat base are perfectly simmered together, while the addition of the milk balances the acidity of the tomato nicely, adding a creaminess to the sauce in the process. The result is a rich, robust flavor that everyone at the table will enjoy.
Sunday Dinners Made Simple
The best part about this dish is its straightforward preparation and versatility. Since most of the cooking is done in one pan, cleanup is often a breeze, which really is a win no matter what day of the week you decide to cook it. It’s the perfect recipe to cook in batches, too. You can double up the recipe and freeze half the sauce for another occasion.
There are also a ton of variations of the recipe you can play around with, depending on your needs or preferences. Ground beef is not the only meat option for the bolognese sauce. You can try adding Italian sausage or pork to the beef mixture or use ground chicken or turkey instead. You can also try throwing in added vegetables, such as chopped zucchini or bell peppers, or even seasonal favorites, such as roasted sweet potatoes or butternut squash. This recipe can also meet different types of dietary restrictions by using dairy-free alternatives in the sauce and/or serving it with gluten-free pasta.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Leftover rigatoni bolognese (if you have any!) should be stored in an airtight container to prevent the pasta from drying out. This will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days in the fridge.
How Can I Make It Ahead?
This bolognese sauce does really well in the freezer, making it a great option to cook in batches and store for future meals. It’s recommended to cook the sauce on its own, storing it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 6 months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw the sauce and reheat it on the stove or microwave. The pasta can be cooked at this point to be served along with it.
Serving Suggestions
You’re probably wondering what to serve this deliciously hearty pasta dish with. It is so wonderful on its own that it’s hard to figure out what pairs well with it. Since we’re basically planning our fall Sunday dinners at this point, it can’t hurt to plan an antipasto before the entree. These Antipasto Skewers could be a fun addition to the menu, while these delicious Roasted Peppers could be a great way to kick off dinner, too.
As for sides, you can’t ever go wrong with any version of garlic bread. I’d recommend choosing your favorite fresh, crusty bread and prep this easy Garlic Butter Recipe to go along with it. However, if you’re looking for something lighter with more veggies on the side, consider a dish of Roasted Asparagus, Spinach Salad, or even this flavorful Cauliflower Salad. Regardless of what you choose to pair it with, your bolognese sauce will be the star of Sunday dinner, and no one will have to know how easy it was to make!
Rigatoni Bolognese Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 large carrot peeled and finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Increase heat to medium-high, add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink.
- Pour in red wine, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Reduce heat and simmer until the wine has mostly evaporated.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add milk and simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Toss the cooked pasta with the bolognese sauce. Serve hot, sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese.
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