culinary review
   
   

Italian Pasta Bolognese Sauce (Tomato & Meat Sauce)

Last Modified: 08/06/10
First Published: 11/03/07
Views: 14766
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Views: 14766
This classic Italian meat, tomato and spaghetti dish is perfect to serve either as an every-daypasta_bolognese meal or on a more festive occasion. It pleases a crowd as well as an intimate party and is accepted by even the pickiest eater.

We prefer to buy a larger cut of meat and cut it into very fine pieces in the food processor. That way you will know the quality of your meat for sure and there will be no chance of contamination by grinding machines and multiple steps. This is also a perfect sauce to freeze – make an extra batch and keep in the freezer, that way there’s always something tasty and homemade to eat.

This sauce is quite delicious: lots of onion, garlic and tomato as well as plenty of meat. Wine, Worcester sauce, cream and balsamic vinegar adds flavor and complexity. A little flour is added in the sautéing process to ensure a thicker and creamier saucer and bullion cubes provides a nice alternative to salt and adds a better overall taste.

Serve with some al-dente spaghetti, some freshly ground pepper, a sharp aged cheese (such as Parmesan or Pecorino Romano) and a nice glass of red wine.
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Measurements
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General Info
Servings: 6
Total Cost: $13.76
Cost Per Serving: $2.29
Total Calories: 3,800
Calories/Serving: 633
IngredientVolumeMassCostCalorie
Butter, Unsalted 2 Tablespoons 28.00 Grams $0.13 200
Onion, Yellow Diced (2 onions) 2 Cups 320.00 Grams $0.71 134
Beef, Ground * 2.00 Pounds $8.10 1,134
Garlic (5 cloves, minced) * 15.00 Grams $0.07 22
Tomato Paste 2 Tablespoons 33.00 Grams $0.12 25
Worcestershire Sauce 2 Tablespoons 30.00 Grams $0.20 30
Flour, White Unbleached All Purpose 2 Tablespoons 0.53 Ounce $0.02 57
Wine, Red Table 1/2 Cup 118.00 Grams $1.10 84
Tomatoes, Diced, Generic Can (2-14 ounce cans) * 1.75 Pounds $1.47 157
Chicken Broth 2 Cups 486.00 Grams $0.22 24
Sugar, White Granulated 2 Tablespoons 25.00 Grams $0.03 97
Heavy Whipping Cream 36% 1/4 Cup 60.00 Grams $0.28 200
Vinegar, Balsamic 1 Tablespoon 15.00 Grams $0.27 10
Oregano Leaves, Dried 1 Teaspoon 1.00 Gram $0.01 0
Basil, Dried 1 Teaspoon 0.70 Gram $0.01 2
Onion Powder 1/2 Teaspoon 1.15 Grams $0.01 4
Onion Salt 1/2 Teaspoon 2.60 Grams $0.02 0
Salt, Table (to taste) 1 Dash 0.75 Gram $0.00 0
Pasta, Angel Hair * 1.00 Pound $0.99 1,620


6-8 servingsbolognese_sauce

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 onions, diced
  • 2 lbs ground beef (preferably home ground/chopped)
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons Worcester Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • ½ cup red wine
  • 2 14-oz cans diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 bullion cubes
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ¼ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Herbs & Spices:

  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon basil
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion salt
  • salt and pepper

 

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meat_sauce

Method:

Sauté the onion in the butter. After a few minutes add the ground beef and cook until brown and cooked through. Add the oregano, basil, onion powder and onion salt. Add the tomato paste, the Worcester sauce and the flour. Cook for a few minutes, then add the wine and cook for a while longer.

meat_sauce meat_saucemeat_sauce

Add the diced tomatoes, the water, the bullion cubes and the sugar and bring to a simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes or until nice and incorporated. At this point, add the cream, the balsamic vinegar and add salt and pepper to taste.