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Weeknight Bolognese

Source of Recipe

From "Barefoot Contessa: How Easy is That?" by Ina Garten


Recipe Introduction

"Everyone needs a quick dinner they can throw together during the week. Bolognese is a thick meat sauce that is a staple of northern Italy. It's always made with beef, tomatoes, and cream and I've added oregano, red pepper flakes, and basil to give it lots of flavor. It's the perfect stick-to-your-ribs dinner on a cold night."

List of Ingredients

â—¦ 2 tablespoons good olive oil, plus extra to cook the pasta
â—¦ 1 pound lean ground sirloin
â—¦ 4 teaspoons minced garlic (4 cloves)
â—¦ 1 tablespoon dried oregano
â—¦ ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
â—¦ 1 ¼ cups dry red wine, divided
â—¦ 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
â—¦ 2 tablespoons tomato paste
â—¦ Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
â—¦ ¾ pound dried pasta, such as orecchiette or small shells
â—¦ ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
â—¦ ¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves, lightly packed
â—¦ ¼ cup heavy cream
â—¦ ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving



Recipe

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground sirloin and cook, crumbling the meat with a wooden spoon, for 5 to 7 minutes, until the meat has lost its pink color and has started to brown. Stir in the garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 more minute. Pour 1 cup of the wine into the skillet and stir to scrape up any browned bits. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 ½ teaspoons pepper, stirring until combined. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a tablespoon of salt, a splash of oil, and the pasta, and cook according to the directions on the box.

While the pasta cooks, finish the sauce. Add the nutmeg, basil, cream, and the remaining ¼ cup wine to the sauce and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened. When the pasta is cooked, drain and pour into a large serving bowl. Add the sauce and ½ cup Parmesan and toss well. Serve hot with Parmesan on the side.

Serves 4 to 5