Classic Bolognese Ragù

Preparation time
30 minutes
Cooking time
120 minutes
Number of servings
6
Difficulty
Medium
Ingredients
400 gr coarsely ground beef
150 gr sliced fresh pork belly
60 gr half an onion
60 gr carrot
60 gr celery stalk
1 cup(s) red or white wine
200 gr tomato passata
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup(s) whole milk (optional)
light meat or vegetable broth
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
pinch salt
pinch pepper
Directions
  1. In a high-quality, heavy, non-stick or aluminum or enameled cast iron saucepan 24-26 cm in diameter, melt the ground or chopped pancetta with 3 tablespoons of oil.
  2. Then, add the finely chopped aromatics from the cutting board (do not use a mixer) and let the soffritto wilt slowly over medium-low heat, always stirring with a wooden spoon (the onion must absolutely not take on a burnt flavor).
  3. Raise the heat and add the ground meat and, while stirring thoroughly, cook it for about ten minutes until it "sizzles".
  4. Pour in the wine and let it evaporate and reduce completely, until you no longer smell the wine and, then, add the tomato paste and the passata.
  5. Continuing to stir well, pour in a cup of boiling broth and cook slowly, with the pot covered, for about 2 hours (even 3 hours according to preference and the meats used) adding hot broth as needed.
  6. Halfway through cooking, according to a recommended ancient tradition, you can add the milk which must be allowed to reduce completely.
  7. Finally, once cooking is complete, adjust with salt and pepper. The ragù should have a beautiful dark orange color, be enveloping and creamy.