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Rigatoni Bolognese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 50 reviews

A rich and hearty Rigatoni Bolognese recipe featuring a flavorful meat sauce made with ground beef, pork, Italian sausage, and a blend of tomatoes, vegetables, and Italian seasonings. Perfectly paired with rigatoni pasta and topped with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese for a classic Italian meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat 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 the vegetables are softened and aromatic, about 3-5 minutes.
  2. Brown Meat: Add ground beef, ground pork, and Italian sausage to the pot. Break up the meat with a spoon and cook until browned, about 7 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt during cooking.
  3. Add Tomato Paste and Wine: Stir in the tomato paste and red wine. Cook for 2 minutes to allow the alcohol to evaporate and for the tomato paste to coat the meat evenly.
  4. Simmer Sauce: Pour in the chopped whole tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, diced bell pepper, Italian seasoning, and remaining 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir to combine everything well. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.
  5. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed. Add extra salt or a little sugar if necessary to balance acidity.
  6. Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the rigatoni pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  7. Serve: Plate the cooked rigatoni and ladle the bolognese sauce over it. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves before serving.

Notes

  • Use good quality red wine for best flavor; a dry red like Chianti or Merlot works well.
  • Simmering the sauce longer (up to 1-2 hours) can deepen the flavors even more.
  • Remove sausage casings for a smoother meat sauce texture.
  • Adjust seasoning carefully, tomatoes can vary in acidity.
  • Reserve some pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce if desired before serving.

Keywords: Rigatoni Bolognese, Italian meat sauce, pasta recipe, classic bolognese, ground beef pasta sauce

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