Authentic Rigatoni Bolognese Recipe

Craving authentic Italian comfort food? This Grandma's Rigatoni Bolognese recipe delivers a rich, flavorful sauce simmered to perfection. Made with high-quality ingredients and a traditional method, this recipe is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a special occasion. The hearty Bolognese sauce is easily doubled and freezable for future meals! Get ready for a taste of Italy in your own kitchen.

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 70 mins

Calories 786.6 kcal

Protein 81g

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The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Authentic Rigatoni Bolognese

2 carrots, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 cup dry red wine
2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound rigatoni pasta
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil

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How to Make Authentic Rigatoni Bolognese

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add 1 large onion (finely chopped), 2 carrots (finely chopped), and 2 celery stalks (finely chopped). Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
Add 1 pound of ground beef (or veal) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
Pour in 1 cup of dry red wine (like Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon). Allow the wine to reduce slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
Stir in 2 (28-ounce) cans of crushed tomatoes, 1 (15-ounce) can of tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 hours for a richer flavor, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the better it tastes!
While the sauce simmers, cook 1 pound of rigatoni pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
To serve, add the cooked rigatoni to the Bolognese sauce and toss to coat. Add a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley (about 1/4 cup, chopped) before serving.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

19 g

Sugar

40g

Fat

52g

Carbs

23g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner Beef & Red Meat Ground Beef Recipes European Italian

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Authentic Rigatoni Bolognese?

Authentic Rigatoni Bolognese takes about 90 minutes from start to finish — roughly 20 minutes to prepare and 70 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Authentic Rigatoni Bolognese?

Authentic Rigatoni Bolognese has approximately 786.6 calories per serving, with about 81 g protein, 23 g carbohydrates and 47 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Authentic Rigatoni Bolognese?

The key ingredients for Authentic Rigatoni Bolognese are Carrots, Celery Ribs, White Onion, Olive Oil, Ground Beef, Red Wine. See the full list with measurements above.