I don’t know about you, but I’m sensing that everyone could use a big, warm hug today. Perhaps it’s the shift in weather or the rat race that we all claimed we wouldn’t go back to post-COVID shutdown (but still did). We are tired and stressed these days, my friends. So let’s do what we all need to do, let’s S-L-O-W down.
Okay, feeling better? Now, grab out a thick-bottomed pot, some vegetables, beef and pork and let’s make my slow-cooked Bolognese sauce. This sauce takes time and patience. It’s what I call my Sunday meal. Enjoy watching it bubble away while you sip on a mug of tea and just relax. Your house will start to smell amazing as this Bolognese melts into a beautiful silky, rich, tender and meaty sauce. What a perfectly comforting dish for a quiet fall night at home with friends or family. Spoon this Bolognese over pasta and serve it with plenty of fresh hunks of garlic bread on the side. A glass of bold red wine will do too. Take care, take it slow and enjoy.
To start, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large enameled Dutch oven or similar pot. Add one cup of chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes. Add three minced garlic cloves and cook for one minute longer. Next, add one teaspoon each of dried basil, oregano and thyme, plus one, 6-ounce can of tomato paste. Cook the paste for 3-4 minutes, stirring continuously.
Add one cup of good red wine and cook a few minutes longer and until reduced and thick. Next, add one pound of ground pork, one pound of lean ground beef, three teaspoons of kosher salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Cook until the meats are brown, about 8 minutes. Add two, 28-ounce cans of fire roasted, diced tomatoes, plus one cup of beef stock. Stir, then simmer covered for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, uncover the sauce and continue to cook for 2.5 hours until thick and rich. Taste and adjust for seasoning by adding a bit more salt if needed. Spoon this thick, meaty sauce over pasta, top with shredded parmesan cheese and enjoy. This recipe easily serves 8-10. The sauce will keep in the refrigerator for 5 days and freezes beautifully.
Bolognese Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1, 6-ounce can of tomato paste
- 1 cup of good red wine
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 3 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2, 28-ounce cans of fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef stock
Instructions
- Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large enameled Dutch oven or similar pot. Add one cup of chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for a minute longer.
- Next, add the dried herbs and a can of tomato paste and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring continuously.
- Add one cup of good red wine and cook until reduced and thick.
- Next, add the meats, salt, pepper and sugar and cook until the meats are fully cooked through and browned, about 8 minutes. Finally, add the cans of fire roasted diced tomatoes and beef stock. Stir, then cover the pot and simmer the sauce for 45 minutes.
- After 45 minutes, uncover the pot, stir and simmer the sauce for an additional 2.5 hours. The longer you cook this sauce, the better so take your time.
- Spoon this sauce over pasta and top with shredded parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
