How to Make Bolognese

Ah, bolognese sauce! The rich, hearty, and oh-so flavorful sauce that hails from the city of Bologna in Italy. Pasta sauce, or sugo di pomodoro in Italian, is a staple in Italian cuisine and can be traced back to the ancient Roman Empire. Over time, pasta sauce has evolved and taken on many different forms, with each region in Italy having their own unique variation. Some popular examples include marinara sauce, made with tomatoes, garlic, and basil; carbonara sauce, made with eggs, pancetta, and Parmesan cheese; and of course, bolognese sauce, made with a blend of ground meat and vegetables slow-simmered in a tomato-based sauce.

History of Pasta Sauce

Pasta sauce, or sugo di pomodoro in Italian, is a staple in Italian cuisine and can be traced back to the ancient Roman Empire. Back then, the sauce was made with a mixture of crushed garlic, salt, and fish sauce called "garum." It wasn't until the 16th century that tomatoes, which were native to the Americas, were introduced to Italy and began to be incorporated into the sauce.

The first known recipe for tomato sauce, or salsa di pomodoro, appeared in the 1790 cookbook "L'Apicio Moderno" by Roman chef Francesco Leonardi. The recipe called for peeled and crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper, and was meant to be served with boiled meats.

Over time, pasta sauce has evolved and taken on many different forms, with each region in Italy having their own unique variation. Some popular examples include marinara sauce, made with tomatoes, garlic, and basil; carbonara sauce, made with eggs, pancetta, and Parmesan cheese; and of course, bolognese sauce, made with a blend of ground meat and vegetables slow-simmered in a tomato-based sauce.

Bolognese Recipe

If you're a fan of Italian cuisine, chances are you've tasted this classic sauce at some point, and if you haven't, well then you're in for a real treat! At Mora Italiano, our bolognese sauce is a fan favorite. Made with a blend of ground beef, pork, and veal, slow-simmered with tomatoes, red wine, and a variety of aromatic vegetables and spices, it's the perfect topping for a bowl of steaming hot pasta.

But why stop at just enjoying bolognese at a restaurant when you can easily make it at home? That's right, with just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can whip up a batch of this delicious sauce in the comfort of your own kitchen.

So, without further ado, let's get started on how to make bolognese!

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef, pork, and veal (or just ground beef if you prefer)

1 medium yellow onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium carrot, peeled and diced

1 celery stalk, diced

1 cup red wine

1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions:

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.

Once the meat is browned, add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery to the pot. Cook until the vegetables are soft, about 5-7 minutes.

Pour in the red wine and bring to a boil. Let the wine reduce for about 5 minutes, until it has thickened slightly.

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

After an hour, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little bit of water to thin it out. If it's too thin, you can let it continue to simmer until it reaches your desired consistency.

Once the sauce is done, remove the bay leaf and serve it over your favorite pasta. We recommend using a wide, flat noodle like pappardelle or fettuccine to really let the sauce shine.

And that's it! With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy a delicious and authentic bolognese sauce in the comfort of your own home. If you want to take it to the next level, you can even add in some diced pancetta or bacon for an extra savory kick.

At Mora Italiano, we pride ourselves on using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients in all of our dishes. If you're in the Encino, CA area and looking for a taste of authentic Italian cuisine, be sure to stop by and try our bolognese for yourself. We can't wait to see you!