{"id":"ragu_alla_bolognese_fd666f2b83","slug":"ragu-alla-bolognese","title":"Ragù alla Bolognese","description":"The quintessential Italian meat sauce from Bologna—rich, hearty, and slow-cooked to perfection with a blend of beef, pork, and a silky finish of milk.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":180,"totalMinutes":210,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g ground beef (80/20)","name":"Ground Beef","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"ground","notes":"preferably 80/20 fat ratio","group":"Meats","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"250g ground pork","name":"Ground Pork","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.55,"usUnit":"lb","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Meats","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"150g pancetta, finely chopped","name":"Pancetta","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":5.3,"usUnit":"oz","form":"chopped","notes":"unsmoked preferred","group":"Meats","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 large yellow onion","name":"Yellow Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely diced","notes":"yellow","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 large carrot","name":"Carrot","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely diced","notes":"large","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 celery stalk","name":"Celery","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"finely diced","notes":"stalk","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"50g tomato paste","name":"Tomato Paste","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"paste","notes":"double concentrated","group":"Pantry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"250ml dry white wine","name":"White Wine","quantity":250,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"can substitute with dry red wine","group":"Liquids","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"250ml whole milk","name":"Milk","quantity":250,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"whole milk","group":"Liquids","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"500ml beef broth","name":"Beef broth","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"low sodium preferred","group":"Liquids","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"30g butter","name":"Butter","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"solid","notes":"unsalted","group":"Fats","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"extra virgin","group":"Fats","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-13","original":"Salt to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"fine","notes":"to taste","group":"Seasonings","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-14","original":"Black pepper to taste","name":"Black Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"ground","notes":"freshly ground","group":"Seasonings","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Finely mince the onion, carrot, and celery to create the soffritto base.","group":"Preparation","title":"Finely mince the onion, carrot, and celery","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the chopped pancetta and cook until it renders its fat and begins to crisp.","group":"Cooking","title":"Heat the olive oil and butter","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery to the pot. Sauté over medium-low heat until the vegetables are soft and translucent, but not browned.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Increase the heat to medium. Add the ground beef and ground pork. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat and cook until it is browned and no longer pink.","group":"Cooking","title":"Increase the heat","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Pour in the wine and let it bubble and evaporate completely until the scent of alcohol is gone.","group":"Cooking","title":"Pour in the wine and let it bubble and evaporate completely","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Dilute the tomato paste in a small amount of beef broth and add it to the pot along with the remaining broth. Stir well to combine.","group":"Cooking","title":"Dilute the tomato paste","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Reduce heat to very low. Cover partially and let the sauce simmer for at least 3 hours. If it becomes too dry, add a splash of broth or water. Season lightly with salt and pepper halfway through.","group":"Cooking","title":"Reduce heat to very low","timerMinutes":180,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-8","text":"About 15 minutes before finishing, stir in the milk. This will give the sauce a creamy texture and a rich flavor. Final check for seasoning and serve.","group":"Finishing","title":"About 15 minutes before finishing","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Traditional Ragù alla Bolognese is served with tagliatelle or used in lasagna, rather than spaghetti. The addition of milk at the end helps tenderize the meat and balances the acidity of the wine and tomatoes.","cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Bolognese"]},"course":["sauce"],"cookingMethod":["simmer","saute"],"equipment":["dutch oven","wooden spoon","chef knife"],"diet":["high_protein"],"allergens":["milk","celery"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":1.5,"unit":"l","note":"Yields approximately 1.5 liters of sauce"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The sauce is actually better the next day as flavors develop."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fragu_alla_bolognese_fd666f2b83%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e0311d90-66b7-457e-8f88-6603dde61e42","imageAlt":"Ragù alla Bolognese — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["bolognese","meat sauce","authentic","slow cooked","ragu","classic"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Ragù alla Bolognese","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T08:45:15.842Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T08:45:15.842Z","related":[{"id":"pesto_alla_genovese_79c1b64ce1","slug":"pesto-alla-genovese","title":"Pesto alla Genovese","description":"A vibrant and aromatic classic Italian sauce made with fresh Genovese basil, creamy pine nuts, and aged cheeses, traditionally pounded into a smooth yet textured paste.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Italian"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fpesto_alla_genovese_79c1b64ce1%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=03b9ce87-9093-4804-85b7-068b336768c3","imageAlt":"Pesto alla Genovese — recipe cover","tags":["basil","pesto","italian","genovese","raw","sauce","vegetarian","condiment"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":6},{"id":"salsa_al_limone_5ac58b3aae","slug":"salsa-al-limone-lemon-sauce","title":"Salsa al Limone (Lemon Sauce)","description":"A bright, velvety Italian sauce featuring the vibrant zest and juice of fresh lemons, finished with cream and butter for a silky texture. Perfect for pasta, grilled fish, or poultry.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Italian"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fsalsa_al_limone_5ac58b3aae%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=135ff37d-b9a8-4776-b449-1e65c0e55ab6","imageAlt":"Salsa al Limone (Lemon Sauce) — recipe cover","tags":["lemon","sauce","creamy","italian","citrus","quick"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5},{"id":"salsa_puttanesca_0ec3bcc7c6","slug":"salsa-puttanesca","title":"Salsa Puttanesca","description":"A classic Italian pasta sauce known for its punchy flavors—a savory blend of tomatoes, salty olives, tangy capers, and a hint of heat from chili flakes.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Neapolitan"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["dairy_free","egg_free","nut_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fsalsa_puttanesca_0ec3bcc7c6%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=4e59cd3a-26b3-4f7a-b146-ab9b97075556","imageAlt":"Salsa Puttanesca — recipe cover","tags":["spicy","briny","quick","classic","seafood","tomato-sauce"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":5}]}