Pasta Bolognese

This easy and delicious Pasta Bolognese recipe by Bobby Flay is a creamy, comforting meal that comes together quickly. With a rich, flavorful sauce made from simple ingredients like ground meat, tomatoes, and aromatic vegetables, this dish is perfect for a cozy dinner. You can easily adjust it with whatever you have on hand for a satisfying meal!

Ingredients Needed:

Pasta Dough:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 3 large eggs plus 1 yolk

Meat:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 ounces bacon, diced
• 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck (80/20)
• 1/2 pound ground pork (80/20)
• 1 teaspoon ground dried fennel
• 1/4 teaspoon Calabrian chile flakes
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Quick Bolognese Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium stalk celery, finely diced
• 1 small bulb fennel, finely diced
• 1 medium red onion, finely diced
• 1/2 medium carrot, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed to a paste or finely grated
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon ground dried fennel
• 1 cup rose wine
• One 28-ounce can of plum tomatoes
• 2 cups chicken stock
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, plus more for garnish
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano

Garlic Bread:

• 1 loaf ciabatta, sliced lengthwise
• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed to a paste
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup creme fraiche, for serving
• Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, for serving

How To Make Pasta Bolognese Recipe?

1. Make the Pasta Dough: Combine flour, eggs, and yolk in a food processor until a dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 1 minute, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 24 hours.
2. Cook the Meat: Heat olive oil in a pan, cook diced bacon until crispy, then remove. In the same pan, cook ground meats until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Make the Sauce: In a large pan, heat olive oil and cook celery, fennel, onion, and carrot for 5 minutes. Add garlic, cook for 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste, and fennel, and cook for 1 more minute. Add wine, and cook until reduced by half. Add tomatoes and chicken stock, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add cooked bacon and meat, and simmer for another 15 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, parsley, and oregano.
4. Make the Garlic Bread: Preheat the broiler. Toast ciabatta until golden. Mix butter, garlic, salt, and pepper, then spread on the bread. Broil until bubbly and golden.
5. Cook the Pasta: Cook fresh pasta in boiling water for 4 minutes (or follow package directions for dried pasta). Reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain.
6. Assemble and Serve: Heat sauce in a pan, add cooked pasta, crème fraîche, some pasta water, and toss to combine. Serve with garlic bread and extra Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Recipe Tips:

• Use Fresh Pasta for the Best Texture: Homemade or fresh pasta will make your dish smoother and more flavorful than dried pasta. If you’re using store-bought, choose a good quality one.
• Cook Meat Until Well-Browned: Brown the meat thoroughly to add depth of flavor to your sauce. Avoid rushing this step for the best result.
• Let the Sauce Simmer: The longer the Bolognese sauce simmers, the richer the flavor. Don’t skip the simmering time!
• Reserve Pasta Water: Always save some pasta water before draining. It helps thicken the sauce and binds the pasta better.
• Season in Layers: Add salt and pepper at different stages while cooking to ensure the dish is well-seasoned throughout.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: Cool the leftover Pasta Bolognese to room temperature, then put it in a container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Freeze the sauce for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Warm the pasta in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring and adding water or broth to adjust thickness.

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories: 667 kcal
• Total Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg
• Sodium: 1,200 mg
• Potassium: 1,200 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 69 g
• Dietary Fiber: 6 g
• Sugars: 9 g
• Protein: 34 g

Try More Bobby Flay Recipes:

• Bobby Flay Homemade Pasta
• Bobby Flay Pasta Dough Recipe
• Bobby Flay Zucchini Pasta
• Bobby Flay Pasta Salad​