Marcella Hazan’s Bolognese Sauce

Marcella Hazan’s Bolognese Sauce is a classic, rich, and flavorful Italian meat sauce that has become a staple in many kitchens around the world. Hazan’s version is known for its simplicity and depth of flavor, relying on a few key ingredients like onion, carrot, celery, butter, and tomato paste to create a deeply savory, velvety sauce. It’s perfect served over pasta like tagliatelle, pappardelle, or fettuccine.

Here’s Marcella Hazan’s Bolognese Sauce recipe:

Marcella Hazan’s Bolognese Sauce

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
• 1 pound ground beef (a mixture of beef and pork is traditional, but you can use just beef if preferred)
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes (or peeled tomatoes, chopped)
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté the Vegetables:

• In a large skillet or saucepan, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat.
• Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery to the pan. Stir occasionally and cook until the vegetables soften, about 8-10 minutes. The goal is to gently caramelize them without burning.

2. Brown the Meat:

• Once the vegetables are softened, add the ground beef (or beef and pork mixture). Break the meat up with a spoon and cook until it’s browned, about 10 minutes. Make sure to cook the meat thoroughly until no pink remains.

3. Add Milk:

• Pour in the milk and let it simmer gently. Stir occasionally, and let the milk cook off completely, which should take about 10 minutes. The milk helps soften the flavors of the meat and gives the sauce a velvety texture.

4. Add Wine:

• Once the milk has evaporated, add the white wine to the pan. Let the wine cook off for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reduces and most of the alcohol evaporates.

5. Add Tomatoes:

• Stir in the crushed tomatoes (or chopped peeled tomatoes if using whole tomatoes), and season with salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer and lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
• Cover partially with a lid, leaving a small gap for steam to escape. Let the sauce cook for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. As the sauce simmers, it will thicken and deepen in flavor. If the sauce begins to get too thick, you can add a little water or broth to reach the desired consistency.

6. Final Seasoning:

• Taste the sauce towards the end of cooking and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. The sauce should be rich, velvety, and deeply flavorful.

7. Serve:

• Serve the Bolognese sauce over freshly cooked pasta, such as tagliatelle, pappardelle, or fettuccine. It’s also delicious with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Tips for the Best Bolognese Sauce:

• Slow and Low: The key to Marcella Hazan’s Bolognese is the long, slow simmer. This allows the flavors to meld and develop depth, creating a rich and comforting sauce.
• Meat Choice: You can use a combination of beef and pork for a more traditional flavor, or stick with just beef if you prefer. If you use lean beef, consider adding a little extra butter or oil to maintain richness.
• Wine Pairing: The white wine in this recipe is essential for balancing the richness of the meat. Use a dry wine, and avoid sweet varieties. If you prefer red wine, that can work as well, but white wine is more traditional.
• Consistency: The sauce should be thick but not dry. If it becomes too thick during cooking, you can always add a little bit of water or broth to loosen it up.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve Marcella Hazan’s Bolognese with a classic pasta like tagliatelle (or even spaghetti), making sure to toss the pasta in the sauce to coat it well.
• A side of garlic bread or a simple green salad dressed with olive oil and vinegar pairs wonderfully with this rich dish.
• For a traditional Italian touch, top the pasta with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and a drizzle of good-quality olive oil.

Marcella Hazan’s Bolognese Sauce is a wonderful, time-tested recipe that is perfect for a cozy dinner or special occasion. The long cooking time allows the flavors to develop fully, and the sauce becomes incredibly rich and comforting. Enjoy this iconic Italian dish with family and friends!