Easy Homemade Bolognese

A rich, cozy homemade Bolognese with ground beef, crushed tomatoes and a splash of cream, tossed with rigatoni and a ridiculous amount of Parmesan.

By Manny Michael

1 hour

Dinner

Italian

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1 carrot, finely diced
• 1 celery stalk, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 can crushed tomatoes, 28 ounces
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
• 1 teaspoon sugar, optional, only if your tomatoes taste too acidic
• 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream
• 12 to 16 ounces pasta, rigatoni, pappardelle, tagliatelle, or spaghetti
• 1 cup reserved pasta water
• Freshly grated Parmesan, for topping

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium to medium-high heat.
2. Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery.
3. Cook for about 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften.
4. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
5. Add the ground beef.
6. Break the beef apart and cook until browned.
7. Drain excess grease if there is a lot in the pan.
8. Add tomato paste and stir it into the beef and vegetables.
9. Let the tomato paste cook for about 2 minutes to build flavor.
10. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and beef broth.
11. Add Italian seasoning, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
12. Stir everything together until fully combined.
13. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
14. Lower the heat, cover, and let it cook for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
15. If you have extra time, let it simmer longer on low for even more flavor.
16. During the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking, stir in the whole milk or heavy cream.
17. Cook your pasta until just al dente.
18. Before draining the pasta, save about 1 cup of pasta water.
19. Drain the pasta.
20. Add the pasta directly into the Bolognese sauce.
21. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water and gently toss everything together.
22. Let the pasta sit in the sauce for 1 to 2 minutes so it can soak up the flavor.
23. Plate it up and top with freshly grated Parmesan.
24. Serve with garlic bread if you are in your cozy pasta dinner era.