The Ultimate Bolognese Sauce

Ingredients

Ground pork – 500 g (17.6 oz)

Ground beef – 500 g (17.6 oz)

Pancetta, finely chopped – 100 g (3.5 oz)

Brown onion, finely diced – 1

Celery stalks, finely chopped – 2

Carrots, finely chopped – 3

Italian tomato passata – 1 bottle

Tomato paste – 100 g (3.5 oz)

Canned whole peeled tomatoes – 400 g (14.1 oz)

Dry red wine – 1 glass

Full-cream milk – 1 mug (optional)

Extra virgin olive oil – as needed

Salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste

Prepare the pancetta

Place the pancetta in a food processor and pulse until finely minced.

Start the soffritto

Heat about 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over low to medium heat.

Add the minced pancetta and cook gently until it begins to release its fat.

Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots, cover with a lid, and let the mixture soften slowly for about 10 minutes.

Stir every couple of minutes to prevent sticking or browning.

Deglaze and deepen flavor

Once the vegetables are tender, glossy, and aromatic, pour in a splash of red wine.

Cover again and allow it to cook briefly so the alcohol evaporates.

Drizzle in a little more olive oil if needed.

Add the meats

Add the ground beef and pork to the pot.

Using a wooden spoon, break the meat apart thoroughly and mix it into the soffritto until evenly combined.

Simmer with wine

When the meat loses its raw color and turns grey, add the remaining wine.

Stir well and let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes.

Season and add tomatoes

Season generously with salt and pepper.

Stir in the tomato paste until fully incorporated, then add the passata and peeled tomatoes.

Slow cook the sauce

Cover the pot and cook on very low heat for 3 hours.

Stir every 30 minutes, scraping the bottom to ensure nothing sticks.

Reduce and finish

After 3 hours, remove the lid and continue cooking uncovered for another hour, stirring occasionally.

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed, keeping the heat low.

Optional finishing touch

For a smoother, richer sauce, stir in a splash of full cream milk and let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes before serving.