Pasta Bolognese

Get ready to fall in love with this pasta bolognese—a dish that takes hearty to a whole new level. Imagine tender orecchiette pasta cradling a rich, meaty sauce made from savory beef, zesty Italian sausage, and a medley of finely diced carrots, celery, and onions. The sauce is perfectly seasoned, with just a hint of heat to keep things interesting. It’s comfort food at its best, and it’s so easy to make that you’ll want to add it to your weekly rotation.  

When I think of comfort food, two things come to mind: my Grandma’s cooking and classic Italian dishes. There’s something about Italian food that feels like a warm embrace—whether it’s a gooey lasagna, creamy chicken Alfredo, or my absolute favorite: bolognese sauce. The combination of bold flavors and simple ingredients makes every bite feel like a celebration.  

This pasta bolognese brings all the soul-soothing magic of Italian cuisine to your table. It’s hearty, satisfying, and sure to become a family favorite. So grab a fork, twirl some pasta, and savor the flavors of Italy, right from the comfort of your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground Italian sausage
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup carrots, finely chopped
• 1 cup celery, finely chopped
• 1 cup onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 6 ounce tomato paste
• 16 ounce orecchiette pasta
• 1 cup reserve pasta water, if needed
• Optional: Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. In a large pot or Dutch, oven over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté carrots, celery, and onions until tender.
2. Add ground beef, ground Italian sausage, minced garlic, basil, pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes to the pot.
3. Cook until meat and sausage are no longer pink and are thoroughly cooked. Drain and return to the pot.
4. Add tomato paste to meat and vegetables, stir to combine.
5. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
6. Add pasta and cook according to package directions for al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
7. Add pasta to the bolognese sauce and gently stir to combine.
8. Pour reserved pasta water, a little at a time, into the sauce to obtain desired consistency.
9. Optional: top with Parmesan cheese, if desired, and enjoy!

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