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Pasta with Homemade Meat Sauce
Emma

Pasta with Homemade Meat Sauce

A comforting and flavorful Pasta with Homemade Meat Sauce that brings people together, made with high-quality ingredients and a slow-simmering process for maximum flavor.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1/2 lb ground pork or pancetta
  • 1 large onio
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 stalks celery
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine (Merlot or Cabernet)
  • 1 cup beef bone broth
  • 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • Fresh basil
  • Dried oregano
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Red pepper flakes
  • 1 lb Rigatoni or Pappardelle
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Extra virgin olive oil

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Soffritto: Finely dice the onion, carrots, and celery. In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat two tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the vegetables until they become soft and translucent.
  2. Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef and pork to the pot. Increase the heat slightly. Break the meat apart with a wooden spoon and cook until it is fully browned. Drain any excess grease.
  3. Add Aromatics and Paste: Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook for two minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the tomato paste turns a deep brick red.
  4. Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the red wine. Use your spoon to scrape up all the brown bits from the bottom of the pot.
  5. Simmer the Sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover partially and let it simmer for at least 45 minutes.
  6. Cook the Pasta: While the sauce finishes, cook your pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until 'al dente'. Reserve half a cup of the pasta water before draining.
  7. Combine and Serve: Toss the cooked pasta directly into the pot of sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water, stir in fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

Use high-quality canned tomatoes for better flavor. Do not rush the simmering process for maximum flavor extraction.