Ragù Bolognese is Easy, Actually | Kenji's Cooking Show

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground chicken

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground chicken is often less expensive.

red wine

🥗Healthier: non-alcoholic red wine

💰Cheaper: grape juice

Non-alcoholic options maintain flavor without alcohol.

Parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated Pecorino

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and adds umami.

canned tomatoes

🥗Healthier: fresh tomatoes

💰Cheaper: crushed tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes can be healthier, while crushed tomatoes are often cheaper.

Heat a wide pan over high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Add 4 to 6 oz of pancetta to the pan and let it brown until it makes a crackly sound, indicating moisture has evaporated.

Add 0.5 lb each of ground beef, ground pork, and ground lamb to the pan. Let it brown without breaking it up too much.

While the meat is browning, prepare the vegetables: chop 1 onion, 2 stalks of celery, and 3 baby carrots into a fine dice.

Mince 2 cloves of garlic and set aside.

Once the meat is browned, stir it in the pan and keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn.

Add the diced vegetables to the pan and stir them in with the meat, cooking until they soften and meld into the sauce.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens