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RIGATONI BOLOGNESE: Discover This Comforting Recipe!

RIGATONI BOLOGNESE
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A rich, hearty rigatoni pasta dish cooked with a slow-simmered bolognese sauce, perfect for family dinners and comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) rigatoni pasta
  • Salt (for pasta water)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or beef & pork mix)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, finely diced
  • 2 celery stalks, finely diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional but recommended)
  • 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (secret weapon)
  • Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
  • Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Heat olive oil and butter in a wide pan over medium heat. Add ground meat and cook until deeply browned. Season lightly and break into chunks.
  3. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Cook 6–8 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  4. Stir in garlic and tomato paste. Cook 1 minute until dark and rich.
  5. Pour in red wine and let it reduce by half, scraping up all the browned bits.
  6. Add crushed tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, and nutmeg.
  7. Lower heat and simmer gently 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick, glossy, and deeply flavored.
  8. Toss rigatoni with the sauce, adding a splash of pasta water if needed to coat every ridge perfectly.
  9. Finish with fresh herbs and grated Parmesan.

Notes

  • Let the sauce simmer slowly — time = flavor.
  • Rigatoni or paccheri holds thick sauce best.
  • Tastes even better the next day.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.homeydishes.com/rigatoni-bolognese-comfort-food-recipe/