Name: classic homemade bolognese sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) Ground Beef (Halal), 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio; 30 ml (2 Tbsp) Olive Oil, extra virgin preferred; 1 Large Onion, finely diced; 2 Carrots, finely diced; 2 Celery Stalks, finely diced; 4 Garlic Cloves, minced; 800 g (28 oz) Canned Crushed Tomatoes, high-quality; 30 ml (2 Tbsp) Tomato Paste; 120 ml (½ cup) Halal-Certified Beef Broth; 5 ml (1 tsp) Dried Oregano; 5 ml (1 tsp) Dried Thyme; 2.5 ml (½ tsp) Smoked Paprika; 2.5 ml (½ tsp) Ground Black Pepper; 5 ml (1 tsp) Salt, to taste; 1 Bay Leaf; 120 ml (½ cup) Whole Milk; 120 ml (½ cup) Heavy Cream; 30 g (1 oz) Fresh Basil Leaves, packed; 5 ml (1 tsp) Lemon Juice; Pinch of Salt; Fresh Basil Leaves, torn, for garnish; Grated Parmesan Cheese (Halal-Certified), optional; Drizzle of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Description

This Smoky Beef Bolognese elevates the classic Italian dish with a smoky kick and a vibrant basil cream swirl. Slow-simmered for deep flavor, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, utilizing halal-certified beef and broth where applicable.

Ingredients

Scale

500 g (1 lb 2 oz) Ground Beef (Halal), 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
30 ml (2 Tbsp) Olive Oil, extra virgin preferred
1 Large Onion, finely diced
2 Carrots, finely diced
2 Celery Stalks, finely diced
4 Garlic Cloves, minced
800 g (28 oz) Canned Crushed Tomatoes, high-quality
30 ml (2 Tbsp) Tomato Paste
120 ml (½ cup) Halal-Certified Beef Broth
5 ml (1 tsp) Dried Oregano
5 ml (1 tsp) Dried Thyme
2.5 ml (½ tsp) Smoked Paprika
2.5 ml (½ tsp) Ground Black Pepper
5 ml (1 tsp) Salt, to taste
1 Bay Leaf
120 ml (½ cup) Whole Milk
120 ml (½ cup) Heavy Cream
30 g (1 oz) Fresh Basil Leaves, packed
5 ml (1 tsp) Lemon Juice
Pinch of Salt
Fresh Basil Leaves, torn, for garnish
Grated Parmesan Cheese (Halal-Certified), optional
Drizzle of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Instructions

Sauté Aromatics: Heat oil, sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 8-10 minutes until softened.
Bloom Garlic: Add garlic, cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Brown Beef: Add beef, cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes.
Deepen Tomato Flavor: Stir in tomato paste, cook for 2 minutes.
Simmer Sauce: Add tomatoes, broth, oregano, thyme, paprika, pepper, bay leaf, and salt; bring to a boil, then simmer.
Slow Simmer: Stir in milk, partially cover, and simmer for 45-60 minutes.
Prepare Basil Cream: Blend cream, basil, lemon juice, and salt until smooth; chill.
Cook Pasta: Cook pasta al dente, reserve pasta water.
Combine & Serve: Toss pasta with sauce, swirl with basil cream, drizzle with oil, garnish with basil and parmesan.

Notes

For optimal flavor, use high-quality ingredients and allow the sauce to simmer for the full recommended time. Halal-certified options are available for beef, broth, and parmesan.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Italian
Method: Simmer
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 650 kcal
Sugar: 15 g
Sodium: 800 mg
Fat: 35 g
Saturated Fat: 15 g
Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 50 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 40 g
Cholesterol: 100 mg

Keywords: bolognese,beef,pasta,italian,smoky,basil,comfort food,halal,slow cooker