mafaldine bolognese
C. Sophie Enjoy a rich and authentic Mafaldine Bolognese with tender pasta and a slow-simmered meat sauce. Perfect for a hearty, flavorful Italian meal!
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 2 hours hrs
Total Time 2 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 5 servings
Calories 620 kcal
For the Bolognese Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20 blend for flavor
- ½ lb ground pork or veal for tenderness
- 4 oz pancetta or thick-cut bacon finely chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
- 2 medium carrots finely diced
- 2 celery stalks finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup red wine Chianti or Sangiovese
- 1 cup whole milk for richness and balance
- 1 can 28 oz San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
- 2 tbsp tomato paste for depth of flavor
- 1 cup beef broth adds umami richness
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil for sautéing
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz Mafaldine pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency
- Freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano for garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Prepare the Aromatics
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add pancetta and cook until crispy, about 4 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon.
In the same pot, add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic; sauté until softened, about 10 minutes.
Cook the Meat
Add ground beef and pork, breaking them apart with a wooden spoon.
Cook until browned, about 8 minutes.
Stir in tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
Deglaze and Simmer the Sauce
Pour in red wine, scraping up browned bits from the pot, and let it reduce for 8 minutes.
Add milk, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and seasonings (bay leaf, oregano, nutmeg, salt, and pepper).
Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for at least 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cook the Mafaldine Pasta
Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil.
Add Mafaldine pasta and cook until al dente (about 10-12 minutes).
Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
Combine the Sauce and Pasta
Remove the bay leaf from the sauce.
Toss the cooked Mafaldine pasta into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if needed to adjust consistency.
Stir well until the pasta is fully coated.
Serve and Garnish
Plate the pasta and top with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano.
Garnish with chopped parsley and drizzle with a bit of olive oil for extra richness.
Serve with a glass of red wine and crusty Italian bread for the perfect dining experience.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Total Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sodium: 780mg
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 9g
- Protein: 35g
Keyword Italian Meat Sauce, Mafaldine Bolognese, Pasta Bolognese