Bolognese Sauce

Let this simmer on the stove for hours and the flavors blend perfectly. It is a delicious and easy to make sauce. I use the small holes on a cheese grater to shred the carrots and finely chop the onion and celery.

Bolognese Sauce

Author
Erick Erickson

Ingredients

  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 lbs. ground chuck
  • 1 lbs. ground pork
  • 1 large yellow onion, minced
  • 1 large carrot, minced
  • 2 large celery stalks, minced
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 1/2 cups beef stock or a good pinot noir red wine
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 6oz can of tomato paste
  • Optional: rind from a piece of parmesan cheese
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Instructions

  1. Process the vegetables by hand or in a food processor.
  2. Keep the garlic separate.
  3. Preheat a large pot over medium heat for five to ten minutes.
  4. Pour enough olive oil into a dutch oven to cover the bottom in a thin layer.
  5. Add the beef and pork, crumbling into piece as you add it, until cooked through, but not browned, and remove with a slotted spoon.
  6. Add the onion, carrot, and celery, turn the heat up to medium-high, and cook until browned and reduced, about 30 minutes.
  7. Add additional olive oil as needed.
  8. Add the garlic and return the meat.
  9. Add the wine or beef stock and use a spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot to get off any browned bits.
  10. Add the remaining ingredients including, if using, the parmesan rind.
  11. Bring to a boil, then simmer covered on low heat for 30 minutes.
  12. At this time, taste and add salt and pepper to your liking.
  13. If the sauce thickens too much, add more chicken stock.
  14. Turn the stove heat to the lowest setting and cook, stirring often, for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
  15. During this time skim off the fat.
  16. Remove the parmesan rind and bay leaves, add any additional salt and pepper, then serve with pasta of your choice.
Erick Erickson