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–+ servings

Stanley Tucci’s 20-Minute Bolognese

Who says homemade bolognese needs to simmer all day? This fast and flavorful version mixes buttery veggies, juicy ground beef, and crushed tomatoes into a hearty sauce that’s ready before your pasta’s even done. Tucci may call it “boring,” but your taste buds will totally disagree.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Course Main Course
Servings 4

EQUIPMENT (PAID LINKS)

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion finely chopped (about ½ cup)
  • 1 medium carrot finely chopped (about ½ cup)
  • 1 celery stalk finely chopped (about ½ cup)
  • 1 pound ground beef 80/20 blend
  • 1 ½ cups canned whole San Marzano tomatoes blended or crushed
  • ½ cup low-sodium chicken stock
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • Cooked pasta for serving
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Chop the Veggies: Finely chop the onion, carrot, and celery. You can also pulse them in a food processor until very small if you prefer a smoother sauce.
    1 small yellow onion, 1 medium carrot, 1 celery stalk
  • Sauté the Vegetables: Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until soft and fragrant, about 5–6 minutes.
    2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Cook the Meat: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a wooden spoon and cook until browned all over, about 5 minutes.
    1 pound ground beef
  • Add the Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the blended tomatoes, chicken stock, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine everything.
    1 ½ cups canned whole San Marzano tomatoes, ½ cup low-sodium chicken stock, ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Simmer and Thicken: Let the sauce simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and the flavors have melded together.
  • Serve and Enjoy: Spoon the sauce over hot cooked pasta. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if you’d like, and serve right away.
    Cooked pasta, Grated Parmesan cheese