Pasta Bolognese

(4,217)

Grace Parisi's Bolognese features a traditional combination of ground beef, pork, veal, and tomato enriched by porky pancetta. It's tossed with penne rigate and finished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Prep Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hrs 30 mins
Yield:
8 to 10 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 1 medium onion, finely diced

  • 1 medium carrot, finely diced

  • 1 medium celery rib, finely diced

  • 2 ounces pancetta, thickly sliced, finely diced

  • ½ pound ground beef

  • ½ pound ground veal

  • ¼ pound ground pork

  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped

  • ¾ cup dry white wine

  • 1 (28-ounce) can peeled Italian tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped, juices reserved

  • 1 cup chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth

  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme

  • 1 bay leaf

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • ¼ cup heavy cream

  • 2 pounds penne rigate

  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Directions

  1. Pasta Bolognese

    Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

    Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large, heavy saucepan until shimmering. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and pancetta and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened but not browned, about 8 minutes. Scrape the vegetable mixture into a large bowl.

    Pasta Bolognese

    Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

  2. Pasta Bolognese

    Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

    Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil to the saucepan and heat until just shimmering. Add the beef, veal, and pork and cook over moderately high heat until just barely pink, about 5 minutes.

  3. Pasta Bolognese

    Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

    Return the vegetable mixture to the saucepan. Add the garlic and cook over high heat until fragrant, about 1 minute.

  4. Pasta Bolognese

    Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

    Add the wine and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost evaporated, about 8 minutes.

  5. Pasta Bolognese

    Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

    Stir in the tomatoes and their juices, the chicken stock, thyme, and bay leaf. Season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper and bring to a boil over high heat.

  6. Cover partially and cook over moderately low heat for 1 hour. Discard the bay leaf. Stir in the heavy cream and cook the sauce just until heated through.

    Pasta Bolognese

    Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

  7. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente.

  8. Drain well, return to the pot, add the sauce, and toss.

    Pasta Bolognese

    Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

  9. Serve the pasta in deep bowls and pass the Parmesan at the table.

    Pasta Bolognese
    Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Make Ahead

The sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and frozen up to 1 month.

Suggested Pairing

A Barbera from Italy or California has enough weight and flavor to stand up to the rich meat sauce and enough acidity to balance the tomatoes.

Related Articles