Ragù alla Bolognese
User Reviews
4.9
62 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr 30 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 45 mins
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Servings
6 people
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Calories
854 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Ragù alla Bolognese
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Ragù alla Bolognese is a classic meat sauce featuring a slow-cooked mix of ground pork and beef combined with pancetta, aromatic vegetables, tomato paste, and a splash of red wine. This hearty sauce is enriched with béchamel made from butter, flour, milk, and Parmesan cheese, adding creaminess and depth. It's traditionally served over freshly cooked pasta such as fettucine or gnocchi.
Description
This ragù develops its rich flavor from browned pork and beef blended with pancetta, onions, celery, carrots, and garlic, sautéed until softened. Tomato paste and red wine deepen the taste, while half and half or cream adds smoothness. The accompanying béchamel, made by whisking butter, flour, milk, and Parmesan over medium heat, contributes a velvety texture to the finished sauce.
Preparing the ragù involves careful browning and gradual layering of ingredients, allowing the flavors to meld over time. The sauce pairs well with fresh pasta, enhancing the dish's richness and providing a comforting meal.
If pork is not part of your diet, substituting with all beef is a straightforward adjustment that maintains the sauce’s hearty character.
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Ingredients
For the Béchamel
- 4 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 2 ⅔ cups milk
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- salt Kosher salt and freshly ground, to taste
- black pepper Kosher salt and freshly ground, to taste
For the Ragù
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 ounces pancetta finely chopped
- 1 onion finely diced
- 3 celery medium stalk with leaves, finely diced
- 3 carrot small, finely diced
- 6 cloves garlic roughly chopped
- 10 ounces ground pork
- 10 ounces ground beef
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ⅔ cup red wine dry
- 1 cup half and half or heavy cream or milk
- 1 ounce can San Marzano Tomatoes hand crushed
- salt kosher salt; freshly ground; to taste
- black pepper kosher salt; freshly ground; to taste
Recommended for serving
- 1-2 pounds pasta cooked fresh fettucine pasta or any other pasta or gnocchi etc of your choosing
Instructions
For the Béchamel
- In a large saucepan melt the butter over medium hight heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring with a whisk, for 3 minutes. Slowly add the milk, and whisk together. Add the grated parm. Whisk and cook over medium heat for several minutes, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let cool.
For the Ragù
- Heat the olive oil in a 12 inch dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and chopped vegetables and sauté, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, about 10 minutes. Add in the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds before adding in the meat. Stir the meat into the pan and slowly brown over medium heat, breaking up with a wooden spoon. Stir often for about 15 minutes, or until the meats are a deep brown. Add the tomato paste and stir to combine.
- Add the wine to the dutch oven, lowering the heat so the sauce bubbles quietly. Stir occasionally until the wine has reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Scrape up the brown bits as the wine bubbles. Stir in the half and half. Adjust heat so the liquid bubbles very slowly. Partially cover the pot, and cook for 30 minutes. Stir frequently to check for sticking. Add the tomatoes, crushing them as they go into the pot. Cook uncovered, at a very slow bubble for another 20-30 minutes, or until the sauce resembles a thick, meaty stew. Season with salt and pepper
- Once cooked, stir in the Béchamel sauce into the meat sauce and combine with a wooden spoon until fully combined. Add the cooked fresh pasta and stir to combine.
Notes
- For a pork-free version, use all beef instead of pork and beef mixture.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
854kcal
(43%)
Carbohydrates
54g
(18%)
Protein
36g
(72%)
Fat
54g
(83%)
Saturated Fat
23g
(115%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
4g
(24%)
Monounsaturated Fat
21g
(105%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
139mg
(46%)
Sodium
767mg
(32%)
Potassium
1209mg
(26%)
Fiber
6g
(24%)
Sugar
16g
(32%)
Vitamin A
6256IU
(125%)
Vitamin C
19mg
(21%)
Calcium
423mg
(42%)
Iron
5mg
(28%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 854 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 854kcal | 43% |
| Carbohydrates | 54g | 18% |
| Protein | 36g | 72% |
| Fat | 54g | 83% |
| Saturated Fat | 23g | 115% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 21g | 105% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 139mg | 46% |
| Sodium | 767mg | 32% |
| Potassium | 1209mg | 26% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 16g | 32% |
| Vitamin A | 6256IU | 125% |
| Vitamin C | 19mg | 21% |
| Calcium | 423mg | 42% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
62 reviews
Excellent
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