Simple Bolognese

 

Bolognese

 

 

     Bolognese, or ragu' alla Bolognese, is a traditional meat based sauce from the Bologna area of Italy. In the United States most people typically think of this sauce as a standard sauce to put on spaghetti. Typically we just call it “spaghetti sauce” or “meat sauce”, however in Italy and in any typical Italian American home there is no such thing. Any sauce you place on spaghetti can be called spaghetti sauce. Sauces are made specifically without the name of the pasta you are placing it on. In Italy Bolognese is typically served with a thick wide noodle called Tagliatelle. However in this recipe I just used simple rigatoni pasta and made a quick and simple Bolognese sauce with some already made from fresh tomatoes marinara. The dish is not one of my favorite, I typically do not chose a meat sauce, however is good in its own right. I hope this clears up the differences to sauces in Italy. I hate seeing in the stores marinara labeled as “Spaghetti sauce” or one labeled “Meat sauce”. It burns me badly. LOL. So anyways here is a quick and delicious take on Bolognese sauce.

Ingredients:

 

• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb ground sausage
• 2 cups marinara
• 1/2 diced onion
• 1 stalk finely diced celery
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 bay leaf

 

1. In large skillet brown both beef and sausage until cooked through. Sit aside to drain.

 

2. In same skillet in a bit of olive oil saute the onion and celery until translucent.

 

3. Toss in garlic and saute until fragrant.

 

4. Place meat mixture back in and stir in the marinara.

 

5. Toss in the bay leaf and simmer covered on low for about 15 minutes.

 

6. Serve with tagliatelle or any pasta of your choice.

 

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20-30 minutes

Serves: 2-4