Description
A rich and comforting Italian classic, Hearty Pappardelle Bolognese features wide ribbons of pasta smothered in a slow-simmered meat sauce bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Yellow Onion: 1 large, finely diced
- Carrot: 1 medium, finely diced
- Celery: 1 stalk, finely diced
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
- Ground Beef (80/20): 1/2 pound
- Ground Pork: 1/2 pound
- Tomato Paste: 2 tablespoons
- Crushed Tomatoes: 1 can (28 ounces)
- Whole Milk: 1/2 cup
- Salt: 1.5 teaspoons
- Black Pepper: 1 teaspoon
- Bay Leaf: 1
- Fresh Thyme: 1 teaspoon, chopped
- Pappardelle Pasta: 12 ounces
- Grated Parmesan: 1/2 cup
- Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Combine Ingredients: Add onion, carrot, and celery. Cook for 6–8 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook another minute.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Push veggies to the side and add ground beef and pork. Cook until browned, breaking up with a spoon, about 10 minutes.
- Assemble the Dish: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, milk, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cook to Perfection: Cover slightly and simmer on low heat for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. The sauce should be thick and glossy.
- Finishing Touches: Cook pappardelle in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. Toss pasta with sauce and a splash of pasta water.
- Serve and Enjoy: Plate generously, sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley, and dive in while it’s steaming and aromatic.
Notes
- Use a mix of ground meats for depth of flavor.
- Simmer the sauce low and slow to build richness.
- Don’t skip the milk—it balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Reserve pasta water to help the sauce coat the noodles perfectly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: pappardelle, bolognese, pasta, Italian comfort food, hearty meat sauce