Whenever you’re craving for a hearty and comforting meal, look no further than the classic Italian pasta recipe. Additionally, this delicious recipe is a true culinary masterpiece, combining rich tomato sauce with tender ground beef, all served over a bed of al dente pasta. Originating in the city of Bologna, Italy, Bolognese pasta has become a beloved favorite around the whole world. At the heart of Italian Bolognese pasta is a savory meat sauce, cooked with aromatic herbs and spices. Ground beef or pork, or a mixture of both, is typically used to create a flavorful base that’s both satisfying and comforting. Moreover, the sauce is then added with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and carrots, adding layers of depth and complexity to every bite.
You can elevate the taste of your recipe to the next level with two ingredients:
- A drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. You will add the olive oil after making the whole recipe, when the pasta is off the heat. Prefer olive oil that’s unfiltered and cold-pressed.
- Pecorino Romano Cheese. I highly recommend buying a good quality wedge of this cheese and grating it yourself. I love the sharp, tangy flavor of pecorino with Bolognese sauce. This is also added at the end, creating a thicker texture to the sauce as it melts in.
Endless possibilities
And when it comes to serving Bolognese pasta, the possibilities are endless. Moreover, traditionalists can opt for the classic spaghetti, allowing the sauce to cling to each strand. Alternatively, feel free to get creative with your choice of pasta—whether it’s fettuccine, rigatoni, or penne, each shape brings its own unique texture and mouthfeel to the dish. Plus, top it all off with a generous sprinkling of freshly grated Pecorino cheese and you’ve got a meal that’s sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.
Recipe for the Italian Pasta:
Ingredients:
16 oz. spaghetti or other pasta shape
24 oz. marinara sauce
1 lb. lean ground beef
1/4 cup pecorino Romano cheese finely grated, plus more for serving
kosher salt to taste
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
black pepper to taste
chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Firstly, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Next, cook the pasta until just before it’s al dente.
Meanwhile, in a large deep skillet, cook the ground beef until fully cooked.
Once the ground beef is cooked, add the marinara sauce to the skillet. Stir well, cover, and simmer until heated through.
While the sauce is simmering, when the pasta is just before al dente, reserve 1-2 cups of the pasta water and drain the rest.
After draining the pasta, add it to the skillet with the sauce.
Stir to coat the pasta in the sauce in the skillet or pot and keep the heat on medium-low. Additionally, add 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water, stirring to coat. Add more pasta water as necessary to help the pasta finish cooking to al dente—it will help the sauce thicken and stick to every piece of pasta.
Finally, turn off the heat. Stir in olive oil and pecorino Romano cheese. Taste and add salt if necessary.
In conclusion, bolognese pasta is an Italian classic dish that never fails to impress. With its rich and savory sauce paired with perfectly cooked pasta, it’s a dish that’s as comforting as it is delicious. So why not whip up a batch tonight and transport your taste buds to the bustling streets of Bologna? Buon appetito!
Be sure to check out the other tutorials here on our blog to learn more about recipes and tips. If you have any questions or suggestions, leave a comment below and we’ll be happy to help. Thanks for reading!
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