Restaurant-Style Spaghetti Bolognese

45m
Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Prepare the mirepoix by dicing celery.
  2. 2Clean the rosemary and thyme by pulling against the direction of the leaves.
  3. 3Brown the ground beef, ground pork, and ground veal in a pan over medium-high heat.
  4. 4Strain away excess fat from the browned meat, leaving a light coating or adding a tablespoon of olive oil if needed.
  5. 5Add the mirepoix and minced herbs to the pan and cook until soft.
  6. 6Add 4 to 6 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 to 60 seconds.
  7. 7Add 1 cup of red wine and simmer for a couple of minutes until the alcohol smell dissipates, scraping up any bits from the pan.
  8. 8Add 1 to 2 cups of chicken stock.
  9. 9Add 1 (28 oz) can of crushed whole peeled canned tomatoes and the diluted tomato water from rinsing the can.
  10. 10Carefully add the browned meat back into the pan.
  11. 11Add a Parmesan rind to the bolognese.
  12. 12Simmer the bolognese gently for at least 30 to 45 minutes until the liquid is reduced and it has a jammy texture.
  13. 13Turn off the heat from the bolognese.
  14. 14In a separate clean sauté pan, add enough bolognese for the pasta being cooked.
  15. 15While the pasta cooks, add a knob of butter and a few shaves of Parmesan cheese to the bolognese in the sauté pan (optional).
  16. 16Cook the pasta until it is about a minute from being done, then transfer it from the water into the sauté pan with the bolognese.
  17. 17Turn the burner on for the sauté pan to bring it to a gentle simmer.
  18. 18Add starchy pasta water to the bolognese and pasta mixture.
  19. 19Add a few more shaves of Parmesan and some torn basil.

Ingredients

  • mirepoix, small diced
  • 1 rib of celery
  • 1 sprig of rosemary
  • sprigs of thyme
  • 1.5 lb ground beef
  • ground pork
  • ground veal
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 to 6 minced garlic cloves
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 1 cup to 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 28 oz can good canned tomatoes, whole peeled and crushed
  • 1 Parmesan rind
  • 1 knob butter
  • shaves Parmesan cheese
  • pasta
  • basil, torn

Equipment

knifepanbamboo spoonsauté pan

Tips

  • You can use any kind of ground meat for the bolognese, including bulk Italian sausage.
  • Rinse out the canned tomato can with water and add the diluted tomato water to the bolognese for more reduction room.
  • A Parmesan rind can be added to the bolognese while it simmers for extra flavor.
  • Finish the pasta in the pan with the bolognese, a knob of butter, Parmesan cheese, starchy pasta water, and torn basil.