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Rigatoni Bolognese

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 med Carrot - Peeled and Coarsely Chopped
  • 1 med Onion - Coarsely Chopped
  • 2 stocks Celery - Coarsely Chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic - Peeled
  • 2 oz Olive Oil
  • 1 lb Ground Beef
  • 1 cup Dry White Wine - I use Chardonnay
  • 3 oz Tomato Paste
  • 1 cup Whole Milk
  • 2 cups Chicken Stock
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese Grated - divided
  • 1 lb Boxed Dry Rigatoni - or your favorite pasta
  • Salt and Pepper to Taste

Instructions

  1. Coarsely chop carrot, onion and celery then put in food processor along with garlic until finely ground together.

     

  2. In a skillet, brown the beef on medium heat for about 7-8 minutes working the beef into small bits. Remove from heat and set aside.

     

    Don't over cook at this point the beef will get fully cooked in the sauce later.

     

  3. In a large saute pan heat oil on medium then add the veggie mixture and cook 8-10 minutes until thick.

     

    Feel free to use the saute pan to cook the beef above as well to save time cleaning an extra pan.  Just remove the beef to a separate bowl before starting with the veggies...  Now you have an extra bowl to clean :)

     

  4. Add beef and wine to the veggie mixture, cook down for about 5-7 minutes constantly working to break the beef into small bits.

     

    Reduce heat to medium-low about half way through. I use a wooden spatula to help break the beef down.

     

  5. Stir in tomato paste and cook another 5 minutes on medium-low. Continue breaking the beef into smaller pieces...

     

  6. Mix in chicken stock, milk, bay leaf then salt and pepper to taste. 

     

    Reduce to simmer and allow to cook down uncovered for 1 1/2 - 2 hours until the mixture is thick and tender. 

     

    Stir occasionally during this time, I check it every 4-5 minutes then more often when it gets closer to being done.

     

  7. Now it's time to cook the pasta and bring it all together. Make sure you are ready to serve, the table is set and any sides dishes are good to go.

     

    Remove the bay leaf and discard.

     

  8. Cook the pasta 2 minutes less then the box instructs, I call this double Al Dente (not a real cooking term!) Usually the box calls for 14 minutes, so I cook it for 12 minutes.

     

    Before removing from the heat, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water by scooping it into a cup and setting aside, do this before the 12 minutes is up!

     

    Drain pasta and add directly into the sauce along with about 1/2 cup of the pasta water and about 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.

     

    Turn heat up to medium and cook for about 2 minutes until thick. Salt and pepper to taste.  If too dry, add more pasta water and cook it in.

     

  9. Serve and enjoy!