Authentic Bolognese Sauce Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide

Name: Authentic Bolognese Sauce Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide
Total time: 3 hrs 35 mins
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 cup finely diced onion; 0.5 cup finely diced celery; 0.5 cup finely diced carrot; 1 pinch salt; 1.5 pounds ground beef; 1.5 teaspoons salt; 0.125 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste; freshly ground black pepper to taste; 1.5 cups 2% milk; 2 cups white wine; 1 (28 ounce) can whole Italian plum tomatoes (preferably San Marzano); 2 cups water, or as needed

This Bolognese sauce recipe is inspired by the legendary Marcella Hazan, a pioneer of Italian cuisine. Her expertise revealed the true potential of Bolognese, transforming it from a simple meat sauce into a culinary masterpiece. Serve it with mezzi rigatoni, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley for an unforgettable meal.

Total time3 hrs 35 mins
Prep time15 mins
Cook time3 hrs 20 mins
Yield6

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Instructions

Melt butter and olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sauté onion, celery, and carrot with a pinch of salt for about 5 minutes, until the onion becomes translucent.
Add ground beef to the vegetables and cook for approximately 5 minutes, breaking it apart until it's no longer pink. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
Pour milk into the ground beef mixture and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until most of the milk has evaporated, leaving a slightly saucy consistency at the bottom of the pan.
Increase the heat to medium-high and add white wine. Cook, stirring frequently, for around 5 minutes, allowing the wine to mostly evaporate.
Pour the tomatoes with their juice into a large bowl and crush them by hand until they resemble a thick sauce. Add the tomato mixture to the ground beef. Fill the tomato can with 2 cups of water, stir it into the sauce, and bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring regularly, for at least 3 hours, or preferably 4 to 6 hours, until the sauce thickens. Skim any excess fat from the surface as needed. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little water. Before serving, taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking.

Nutrition

Calories: 394 kcal
Fat Content: 21 g
Fiber Content: 2 g
Sugar Content: 9 g
Sodium Content: 935 mg
Protein Content: 23 g
Cholesterol Content: 84 mg
Carbohydrate Content: 14 g
Saturated Fat Content: 9 g
Unsaturated Fat Content: 0 g