My childhood favorite slow Sunday dinner – Ragu alla Bolognese with family secrets from an Italian grandmother! It’s an easy slow cooked dinner that is bursting with rich flavors to keep you cozy in the winter chill.

Ingredients you’ll need:

Olive Oil
Garlic Cloves, crushed or finely minced
Yellow Onion, finely chopped
Lean Ground Beef
Red Wine
Crushed Tomatoes
Tomato Paste
Beef Bouillon Cubes, or 2 tablespoons
Worcestershire Sauce
Fresh Herbs
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Fine Sea Salt
Bay Leaves
Spaghetti, cooked until al dente
Reserved Pasta Water
Freshly Grated Parmesan, for serving
Fresh Basil, chopped, for serving

What to Serve with Bolognese Pasta:

Garlic Bread
Toasted Sourdough Bread
Arugula Salad
Caesar Salad
Oven-Baked Parmesan Asparagus
Sautéed Green Beans
Focaccia
Roasted Carrots

Cook with me!

Ragu alla Bolognese

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time15

Cook Time30

Total Time27

Ingredients

2 tbsp. Olive Oil
4 Garlic Cloves crushed or finely minced
1 Yellow Onion finely chopped
2 lb. 80% Lean Ground Beef
1 cup Red Wine
56 oz. Crushed Tomatoes
4 tbsp. Tomato Paste
3 Beef Bouillon Cubes or 2 tablespoons
2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
2 tbsp. Fresh Herbs chopped, such as oregano, basil, and thyme
1 tbsp. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1 tsp. Fine Sea Salt
3 Bay Leaves
8 oz Spaghetti cooked until al dente
1 cup Reserved Pasta Water
Freshly Grated Parmesan for serving
Fresh Basil chopped, for serving

Instructions

In a large pot or skillet over medium high heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Once heated, add the chopped onions and garlic to sauté for 5-6 minutes. Transfer to a bowl
In the same pot, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and ground beef to brown, about 8-10 minutes. Use a wood spatula to help break up the meat as it cooks.
De-glaze the pot with the red wine. Allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes, until mostly absorbed by the meat.
Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, bouillon, Worcestershire sauce, chopped herbs, crushed pepper flakes, and salt. Mix until very well combined. Stir in the bay leaves.
Transfer all the ingredients to a crockpot or slow cooker to cook on LOW 4- 6 hours. Or cover the pot with the lid to cook on LOW heat for 1-2 hours. If low on time, it’s okay to just simmer for only 30 minutes!
When ready to serve, cook the spaghetti until al dente, reserving 1 cup pasta water prior to draining. Toss the spaghetti and 3 cups of the Bolognese sauce with ½ cup reserved pasta water until the noodles are super saucy, about 2 minutes.
Enjoy warm with freshly grated parmesan and basil!

I truly hope you all enjoy this treasured recipe that has nestled its way into our hearts here in the ABM kitchen! ’till next time… xxL

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

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