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Rigatoni Bolognese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 61 reviews

A hearty and flavorful Rigatoni Bolognese combining ground beef, pork, and Italian sausage in a rich tomato and red wine sauce, served over perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta and garnished with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp salt, divided
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 1/2 lb Italian sausage (hot or mild, casings removed)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 28 oz can whole tomatoes (chopped in the can with scissors)
  • 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 3/4 cup red wine
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning

Pasta & Garnish

  • 1.5 pounds rigatoni pasta (cooked according to package instructions)
  • Parmesan cheese, for serving
  • fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions, carrots, and minced garlic. Sauté until vegetables are softened and aromatic, about 3-5 minutes.
  2. Brown the Meat: Add ground beef, ground pork, and Italian sausage to the pot. Break up the meat with a spoon and cook until browned, approximately 7 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt.
  3. Add Tomato Paste and Wine: Stir in the tomato paste and red wine. Cook for 2 minutes to allow the alcohol to cook off and for the tomato paste to coat the meat evenly.
  4. Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the chopped whole tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, diced bell pepper, Italian seasoning, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
  5. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning by adding extra salt or a little sugar if needed to balance acidity.
  6. Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the rigatoni pasta following the package instructions. Drain well and set aside.
  7. Serve: Serve the rich bolognese sauce over the cooked rigatoni. Garnish generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves for added aroma and flavor.

Notes

  • Feel free to substitute red wine with beef broth if preferred or to keep the dish alcohol-free.
  • For a spicier sauce, use hot Italian sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
  • Simmering the sauce longer (up to 1 hour) will deepen the flavors even more.
  • Leftover sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.
  • Use fresh herbs like basil right before serving to preserve their flavor and color.

Keywords: Rigatoni Bolognese, Italian pasta, meat sauce, ground beef, Italian sausage, red wine sauce, homemade pasta sauce

Find it online: https://delishfamilyrecipe.com/rigatoni-bolognese-recipe/