Traditional Bolognese Sauce
A classic Italian recipe everyone should know....
This rich and authentic Traditional Bolognese Sauce (Ragù alla Bolognese)
is made with fresh ingredients and simmered low and slow. Serve with fresh Tagliatelle or even Rigatoni for a true Italian classic!
We have so many more sauce recipes on our blog!
I’m not sure if there are many sauces that could compare to ragù alla bolognese, a truly delicious meat sauce that originates in Bologna, Italy. I have shared a traditional Bolognese recipe, with my Potato and Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Bolognese Sauce. This Skillet Lasagna Bolognese is a more casual way to make lasagne. Just so flavorful!!
If you asked me I wouldn’t even be able to tell you the amount of times I’ve cooked a Bolognese, nor the amount of times I’ve eaten it!! There are different versions, and I make the one that’s most similar to my suocera’s version. She is Calabrese, but has been living in the Lombardy region for decades.
It’s hard not to speak about Bolognese and not reflect a little more on my time a few weeks back in Rimini! Rimini is one hour away from Bologna, the heart of the true Bolognese. I did not enjoy any ragu’ (Bolognese)while I was there for a few days, but I sure did have some other delicious dishes.
On New Year’s Day lunch, my cousin Silvia and I went by our friend Alex’s restaurant that I spoke about in my last post.
Il Circolino is on the beach and connected to the tennis courts. Don’t be fooled by the casual atmosphere. This little place has some seriously great food and great wines!
Alex’s brother is the chef and we got to try their sourdough bread. We each had a delicious pasta. Silvia had a Sardegnan fregola with seafood, and I had a homemade noodle with tuna, olives, and tomatoes. The sourdough bread was perfect for “la scarpetta”, which is scooping up the last bites of sauce with bread!
Alex finished off the meal for us by sharing an incredible panettone they made for the holidays, and of course, a great caffe!
I was dining with an Italian that eats food like this every day, and she was very impressed with the entire meal. If you ever make it to Rimini, you should check out Il Circolino!
New Year’s Eve was quite a show in Rimini. My friend J told me it would be packed, but I was truly not expecting the level of packed that I experienced! New Year’s Eve plans were changed and we needed to find someplace to go. Our friend Alex made a reservation for us at Biberius. The cutest wine bar in the Borgo of Rimini. We had the last table and it was the perfect people watching table.
We ordered a glass of wine and a small plate of meats and cheese. The small plate was a very generous plate spilling over with mortadella, salami, culatello, prosciutto and the most incredible cheeses. I ate half of them before I remembered to take a fast photo!
If you make it Rimini, I also recommend you check out Biberius for a fantastic wine selection and some great bites!
This little place was hopping! There was also a second floor, but I couldn’t make it past the crowded tables in front to the stairs. Next time, I will check it out!
The outdoor seating was beautiful and packed with little heaters all around. I find those little heaters on a January day only work if you have 4 of them surrounding you. If you can handle the cold, sitting outside in Italy even in January is a fun vibe! Some places have the chairs covered with blankets to sit on and to cover you! COZY but for me, still frigid! BRRRR!
I wasn’t expecting to have so many stories for you! I promise in my next post to share a bit about the passatelli and our New Year’s Day lunch Rimini style!
I hope you are still hungry and will be inspired to make my Bolognese sauce.
Go on over and grab the recipe! You will love it!
Never been to Rimini? You should check out this post!
A presto!! CIAO!!
Lora