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tagliatelle al ragù (classic bolognese) recipe - Tagliatelle al Ragù (Classic Bolognese) served in a white bowl overhead view
Chloe

Tagliatelle al Ragù (Classic Bolognese)

tagliatelle al ragù (classic bolognese) recipe made easy at home. Silky ribbons of fresh tagliatelle tossed in a rich, slow-simmered meat ragù, the soul of It
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 620

Ingredients
  

For the Ragù
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 2 medium carrots finely diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 celery stalks finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 8 oz ground beef (225g)
  • 8 oz ground pork (225g)
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup dry red wine such as Chianti
  • 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup beef broth (240ml)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk (120ml)
  • to taste sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the Pasta
  • 400g tagliatelle pasta dried, or 500g fresh
To Serve
  • 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano freshly grated
  • a handful fresh basil leaves optional

Method
 

  1. In a large heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery with a pinch of salt. Cook gently, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Do not brown them.
  2. Increase the heat to medium. Add the ground beef and pork. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook until evenly browned and no longer pink, ensuring it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for food safety (use a meat thermometer to check), about 8 minutes. Drain off excess fat if desired, but leave a little for richness.
  3. Push the meat to the sides, add the garlic to the center, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in the red wine, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer until the wine has reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
  4. Add the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and milk. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, partially cover, and cook for at least 1 hour (or up to 2), stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick and the flavors melded. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. When the ragù is almost done, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the tagliatelle according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain.
  6. Add the drained tagliatelle to the ragù, tossing gently over low heat. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach a silky consistency. Serve immediately in warm bowls, topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano and fresh basil.