How long does it take to make Bolognese Ragù – Hearty Meat Sauce Recipe from Bologna?

This recipe takes PT2H40M in total, including PT10M of prep time.

How many calories are in Bolognese Ragù – Hearty Meat Sauce Recipe from Bologna?

Bolognese Ragù – Hearty Meat Sauce Recipe from Bologna contains approximately 350 kcal per serving.

What are the main ingredients in Bolognese Ragù – Hearty Meat Sauce Recipe from Bologna?

The key ingredients are: 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork, 1 onion, finely chopped, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 cup red wine.

Bolognese Ragù – Hearty Meat Sauce Recipe from Bologna

Name: Bolognese Ragù – Hearty Meat Sauce Recipe from Bologna
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Total time: 2 h 40 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1/2 lb ground pork; 1 onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup red wine; 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes; 1/4 cup milk; 2 tbsp olive oil; Salt and pepper, to taste

The Story Behind Bolognese Ragù

Bolognese Ragù is perhaps the most misunderstood sauce in Italian cuisine — and its true form, as made in its home city of Bologna, bears little resemblance to the thick, heavily tomato-sauced versions that have circulated the world for decades. The authentic Ragù alla Bolognese, as registered with the Bologna Chamber of Commerce in 1982, is a slow-cooked meat sauce using minced beef and pork, white wine, a modest amount of tomato, and a generous pour of whole milk — it is beige, not red, and deeply savory rather than tomatoey. Bologna, capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, is known as "La Grassa" (The Fat One) for the extraordinary richness of its cuisine — a city where butter, cream, prosciutto, mortadella, and Parmigiano Reggiano are treated with near-religious reverence. The ragù tradition in Bologna dates to at least the 18th century, and the slow, patient cooking of minced meat in soffritto has made Bolognese the gold standard of pasta sauces worldwide, even if the worldwide version rarely resembles the original.

Time and Servings:

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Nutrition (per serving):

Calories: 350 kcal
Fat: 22g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 26g

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup red wine
1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup milk
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Cook the Meat and Vegetables:
- Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add the ground beef and ground pork, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Cook until the meat is browned and fully cooked, about 8-10 minutes.
Deglaze with Wine:
- Pour in 1 cup of red wine and stir, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Simmer until the wine is reduced by half, about 5-7 minutes.
Simmer the Sauce:
- Add the 14 oz can of crushed tomatoes and 1/4 cup of milk.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce uncovered for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors deepen.
Serve:
- Serve the Bolognese Ragù warm over freshly cooked tagliatelle or use it as a rich filling for lasagna.
- Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Tips for Success:

For the best flavor, use a dry red wine such as Chianti or Merlot.
Stir the sauce occasionally to prevent it from sticking or burning.
The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.