Penne Bolognese Recipe: A Classic Italian Delight
Bolognese sauce, or "ragù alla Bolognese," originates from the city of Bologna in Italy. It is a rich, savory sauce made with ground meat, tomatoes, and a variety of aromatic vegetables. Traditionally served with tagliatelle, Bolognese sauce has evolved over the years and is now commonly paired with different pasta shapes, including penne. The beauty of Bolognese lies in its depth of flavor, which develops as it simmers, making it a favorite among pasta lovers.
Ingredients
Bolognese Sauce:
- Ground pork 100 g
- Ground beef 100 g
- Achuete oil 1 tbsp (15 ml)
- Garlic, minced 1 tsp (3 g)
- White onion, minced 1/2 cup (150 g)
- MAGGI® Magic Sarap 1 tbsp (8 g)
- White sugar 1 tsp (4 g)
- Black pepper 1/2 tsp (1.2 g)
- BUITONI® Coulis de Tomate 1 cup (240 g)
- Water 1/2 - 1 cup
- NESTLÉ® All Purpose Cream 1/4 cup (62.5 ml)
- Penne, cooked al dente 500 g
- Cheese, grated 1 cup (120 g)
- Parsley, chopped 2 tbsp (3 g)
Preparation
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1Prepare the Bolognese Sauce. In a pot with little oil, brown the ground pork and ground beef. Let the meats caramelize and crust, around 15-20 minutes. Set aside. In the same pan, saute the garlic and onion in the annatto oil for 1 minute or until soft and fragrant. Add in the cooked meats back. Season with MAGGI® Professional Magic Sarap, white sugar and black pepper. Let the meats cook in a covered pot over low heat until very tender and oil is rendered, around 30-45 minutes. When the meats are tender, add the BUITONI® Coulis de Tomate. Simmer in medium low heat for 3-5 minutes. Adjust seasoning. If the sauce is too thick, add more water, around 1/2 cup - 1 cup. Simmer for another 5 minutes over low heat. When the meat sauce is well-combined, turn off heat and add the NESTLÉ® All Purpose Cream.
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2Add the cooked penne into the prepared Bolognese Sauce and mix well. Add half of cheese and mix. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes.
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3Transfer onto a platter and top with more cheese and parsley if desired.
TIPS:
- Feel free to add additional vegetables such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini to the sauce for added flavor and nutrition.
- Make an even creamier bolognese by increasing the amount of cream in the recipe
- Leftover bolognese sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for future use.
- Bolognese sauces may be used for a quick lasagna version. It can also be used as a based for chili con carne with a few tweaks in herbs and spices or as a meat sauce for American dishes like sloppy joes or a meaty pizza.
