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Rigatoni Bolognese

Rigatoni Bolognese
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Rigatoni Bolognese is a classic Italian dish featuring hearty rigatoni pasta paired with a rich, meaty tomato sauce. This comforting and quick recipe delivers deep, slow-cooked flavors in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners. With simple pantry ingredients, aromatic soffritto, and savory ground beef, this versatile Bolognese sauce clings beautifully to rigatoni’s ridges, creating a satisfying meal that’s easy to make and customize for all tastes.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 400g dry rigatoni pasta

Meat and Oil

  • 500g ground beef (lean or medium-fat)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

Tomato Elements

  • 400g canned crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste

Liquids and Seasonings

  • 1/2 cup red wine (optional, can substitute with beef or vegetable broth)
  • 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Finishing

  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, forming a classic soffritto base.
  2. Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until the meat is nicely browned, ensuring good caramelization for deep flavor.
  3. Add Garlic and Tomato Elements: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about one minute until fragrant. Mix in tomato paste and canned crushed tomatoes, combining well to create a thick sauce foundation.
  4. Season and Simmer: Pour in the red wine if using, then add dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened and flavors melded.
  5. Cook the Rigatoni: While the sauce simmers, cook the rigatoni in plenty of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, reserving a small amount of pasta water to loosen the sauce if necessary.
  6. Combine and Serve: Toss the cooked rigatoni with the sauce, allowing the pasta to absorb the rich flavors. Serve immediately topped with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • Brown the meat well: Caramelizing the beef enhances the depth of the sauce flavors.
  • Use quality canned tomatoes: They greatly improve the sauce’s richness and color.
  • Don’t rush simmering: Even a short simmer boosts the sauce’s complexity.
  • Reserve pasta water: Adding a splash helps sauce cling perfectly to rigatoni.
  • Fresh herbs are best: Add towards the end for bright, fresh flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Rigatoni Bolognese, Italian pasta, meat sauce, quick dinner, comfort food, pasta recipe, easy Bolognese

Find it online: https://mealsbysarah.com/rigatoni-bolognese/