Prepare to transform your weeknight dinner into a culinary adventure with this mouthwatering Meat Lovers Weeknight Bolognese! Imagine a rich, hearty sauce that combines the robust flavors of ground beef and pork, simmered to perfection with a splash of red wine and classic Italian seasonings. This isn't just another pasta dish – it's a restaurant-quality meal that will have your family begging for seconds and thinking you've secretly trained as a professional chef. In just 45 minutes, you'll create a comforting, flavor-packed dinner that proves gourmet cooking can be quick, easy, and absolutely irresistible!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lb pasta
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients. Make sure you have 1 lb of ground beef, 1 lb of ground pork, 1 chopped onion, 2 minced cloves of garlic, 1 can of crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup of red wine, 1 tsp of Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and 1 lb of pasta.
- In a large skillet or saucepan, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent.
- Add the minced garlic to the onions and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the garlic from burning.
- Next, add the ground beef and ground pork to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat into smaller pieces. Cook the meat until it is browned and no longer pink, which should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the meat is browned, drain any excess fat from the skillet if necessary. Then, pour in the red wine and let it simmer for about 2-3 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any flavorful bits stuck to the skillet.
- Add the can of crushed tomatoes and the Italian seasoning to the skillet. Stir everything together and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together.
- While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the Bolognese sauce. Toss the pasta in the sauce, adding a little of the reserved pasta water if needed to help coat the pasta evenly.
- Serve the Meat Lovers Weeknight Bolognese hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired. Enjoy your hearty Italian meal!
Tips
- Meat Selection: Use a mix of ground beef and pork for maximum flavor depth. Look for meats with a slightly higher fat content for a more tender sauce.
- Wine Wisdom: Choose a dry red wine you'd actually enjoy drinking. The quality of the wine impacts the final taste of your sauce.
- Simmer Slowly: Allow the sauce to simmer low and slow to develop rich, complex flavors. Patience is key to a truly exceptional Bolognese.
- Pasta Perfection: Cook your pasta just to al dente and reserve some pasta water. The starchy water helps the sauce cling to the pasta beautifully.
- Garnish Generously: A sprinkle of fresh basil and grated Parmesan can elevate this dish from great to extraordinary.
- Make Ahead Tip: This sauce actually tastes even better the next day, so don't hesitate to make it in advance and reheat gently before serving.
- Freezer Friendly: This Bolognese freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months, making it a perfect meal prep option for busy families.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 550kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 120mg
