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Savory beef bolognese served over pasta with grated Parmesan cheese in a rustic bowl.

Authentic Bolognese Recipe

Sharon Best Profile PictureSharon Best
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 47 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 57 minutes
Course Main Course, main dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 471 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil divided
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed
  • 2 ribs celery diced
  • 2 large carrots peeled and diced
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 1 can whole tomatoes (28 ounces)
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Italian herbs
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, then add the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook for 5–8 minutes until well browned.
    Finely ground raw beef being cooked in a white skillet with a wooden spoon.
  • Transfer the cooked beef to a bowl and set aside.
    Ground beef cooking in a skillet with creamy sauce, ready for a delicious recipe.
  • Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same pan. Stir in the onion, garlic, celery, and carrots. Cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden.
  • Return the browned beef to the pan. Pour in the red wine, stirring and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Simmer 2–3 minutes, until slightly reduced. Add the whole tomatoes, beef stock, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Break up the tomatoes gently with a spoon.
    Savory beef and vegetable stew in a white pot, hearty homemade comfort food, beef stew with carrots, celery, tomatoes, and seasonings.
  • Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover partially with a lid and simmer for at least 45 minutes and up to 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick, rich, and glossy. If it thickens too much, add a splash of stock or water to loosen it.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 471kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 23gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 824mgFiber: 4g
Keyword Authentic Bolognese, beef, Bolognese sauce, Italian meat sauce
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