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Hearty Bolognese Sauce Base Recipe

Italian · Main course · 135 min total

A rich, slow-simmered meat sauce that forms the perfect base for lasagna, spaghetti, or any pasta dish.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Increase heat to medium-high and add ground beef and pork. Cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until browned, about 8 minutes.
4. Pour in red wine and cook, scraping up browned bits, until reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
5. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Bring to a simmer.
6. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, uncovered, for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened and flavors meld. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Tips

• For a richer flavor, use a combination of ground beef, pork, and veal.
• This sauce freezes well for up to 3 months.
• Stir in a splash of cream at the end for extra richness.

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