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Authentic Bolognese Sauce with Tagliatelle

Authentic Bolognese Sauce with Tagliatelle

Authentic Bolognese Sauce with Tagliatelle is a slow-simmered, rich meat ragù from Bologna, Italy, celebrated for its deep flavor and creamy texture achieved through a blend of meats, milk, and wine. Paired traditionally with wide ribbon pasta, it remains a beloved classic that embodies Italian culinary heritage and comfort food at its finest.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons 45 grams salted butter
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 1 carrot finely chopped
  • 1 celery stalk finely chopped
  • 4 ounces 113 grams pancetta or bacon, diced
  • 8 ounces 225 grams ground beef (lean preferred)
  • 8 ounces 225 grams ground pork
  • ½ cup 120 ml dry white wine
  • 1 ½ cups 360 ml beef stock
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pound 450 grams tagliatelle pasta
  • Finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese Parmesan for serving

Instructions
 

  • Begin by peeling the onion and carrot. Chop the onion, carrot, and celery into small dice, one vegetable at a time. To achieve a finer texture, use a rocking motion with your knife to mince the chopped vegetables further. Slice and dice the pancetta into small strips or cubes. Heat a shallow casserole or skillet with a lid over medium-low heat. Add the olive oil, butter, vegetables, and pancetta, then cook gently, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are softened and lightly golden. Using your hands, crumble the ground beef and pork into the pan. Break up any remaining clumps with a wooden spoon and cook until all the liquid evaporates and the meat starts to sizzle and crackle in the fat—this signals that the bolognese is ready for the next step. Pour in the dry white wine and let it cook off completely. Stir in the beef stock, tomato paste, freshly grated nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Lower the heat to very low, cover with the lid, and let the sauce simmer gently for 2 hours. Check occasionally to ensure the sauce is simmering, not boiling, and add a little water if it becomes too dry. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the tagliatelle according to the package instructions, or for fresh homemade pasta, cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Drain the pasta well, reserving about one cup of the cooking water. Add the pasta to the sauce—if your pan is large enough—or combine both in the pasta pot. Toss gently but thoroughly, incorporating some Parmesan cheese for extra creaminess. Transfer to a serving dish and serve with additional Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese on the side.