Classic Ragù alla Bolognese

Name: 'Classic' Ragù alla Bolognese
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: makes 2 Cups
Ingredients: 1 (5-oz.) piece pancetta, finely chopped; 2 ribs celery, finely chopped; 1 small carrot, finely chopped; 1 ⁄ 2 small yellow onion, finely chopped; 3 ⁄ 4 lb. ground skirt steak; 1 ⁄ 2 cup dry white wine; 1 tbsp. Homemade Tomato Paste; 1 1 ⁄ 2 cups milk; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 2 tbsp. heavy cream; Homemade Tagliatelle

Serves
makes 2 Cups

MATT TAYLOR-GROSS

On October 17, 1982, the Bolognese chapter of the Accademia Italiana della Cucina, “after having carried out long and laborious investigations and conducted studies and research”, decreed the following recipe to be the official one for classic ragu alla bolognese. We’re not necessarily convinced of that, but it’s a fantastic recipe nonetheless.

Ingredients

1 (5-oz.) piece pancetta, finely chopped
2 ribs celery, finely chopped
1 small carrot, finely chopped
¹⁄₂ small yellow onion, finely chopped
³⁄₄ lb. ground skirt steak
¹⁄₂ cup dry white wine
1 tbsp. Homemade Tomato Paste
1 ¹⁄₂ cups milk
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp. heavy cream
Homemade Tagliatelle

ADVERTISEMENTAD

Instructions

Step 1

Put the pancetta into a heavy-bottomed medium pot (preferably terra-cotta) over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until its fat has rendered, about 10 minutes.

Step 2

Add the celery, carrots, and onions and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and lightly browned, about 15 minutes.

Step 3

Add the skirt steak and cook, stirring occasionally, until broken up and lightly browned and beginning to sizzle, about 5 minutes. Add the wine to the pot; cook until evaporated, about 4 minutes. In a small bowl, stir together the tomato paste and 2 tbsp. water; add to the pot and stir well to combine. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally and adding some of the milk, little by little, until all the milk is added and the sauce is very thick, about 1 1⁄2 hours.

Step 4

Season the ragù with salt and pepper and stir in the cream. Toss with farfalle, fresh tagliatelle, or the pasta of your choice. Serve with grated parmigiano-reggiano.

Put the pancetta into a heavy-bottomed medium pot (preferably terra-cotta) over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until its fat has rendered, about 10 minutes.
Add the celery, carrots, and onions and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and lightly browned, about 15 minutes.
Add the skirt steak and cook, stirring occasionally, until broken up and lightly browned and beginning to sizzle, about 5 minutes. Add the wine to the pot; cook until evaporated, about 4 minutes. In a small bowl, stir together the tomato paste and 2 tbsp. water; add to the pot and stir well to combine. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally and adding some of the milk, little by little, until all the milk is added and the sauce is very thick, about 1 1⁄2 hours.
Season the ragù with salt and pepper and stir in the cream. Toss with farfalle, fresh tagliatelle, or the pasta of your choice. Serve with grated parmigiano-reggiano.