Best Pappardelle Bolognese Recipes

PAPPARDELLE WITH BOLOGNESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Put the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the ground meats, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook until thoroughly browned and crisp, about 12 minutes. Add more oil as needed if the meat is sticking to the pan.
• Add the onion, carrots, celery, garlic and a heavy pinch of salt to the meat and continue cooking, stirring often, until the vegetables are softened, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Whisk together the tomato paste and white wine in a small bowl. Add to the pot and use a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until the bottom of the pan is dry, about 8 minutes.
• Tie the thyme and sage together with some twine to form a bundle and add to the pan. Stir in the chicken stock and season with salt. (Taste to check the seasoning.) Bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer. Cover and cook until sauce thickens slightly, about 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• While the sauce simmers, make the pappardelle: Divide the Fresh Pasta dough in half, working with one half at a time and keeping the other half wrapped. Set up a pasta roller attachment on a stand mixer (or secure a hand roller to the side of your work surface) and set it on the widest setting. Lightly dust a baking sheet and work surface with semolina and roll out your dough with a rolling pin until it is thin enough to pass through the pasta roller. Turn on the pasta roller and pass the dough through once, then fold in half, dust with semolina, and put through the roller again. (Keep dusting lightly with semolina flour as needed if the dough seems sticky or damp.) After the second pass through the roller, fold the dough into thirds (like a letter) and roll out one side slightly with a rolling pin so it is thin enough to pass through the machine. Pass through the machine, fold in half again, and pass through one more time. Go to the next setting and pass the dough through twice without folding. Go to third setting and pass through twice. Repeat with the fourth and fifth settings, passing the dough through twice on each.
• Coat the rolled dough with semolina and cut the long sheet of pasta into 10- to 12-inch pieces (you should have three). Stack them on top of each other, sprinkling semolina flour between each sheet. Once all the pieces are stacked, fold the stack in half, then fold in half again. Cut the dough crosswise into strips that are 3/4 to 1 inch wide. Unfold and separate the noodles and place on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they are coated with semolina. (If not cooking right away, make 3 small nests, put in resealable plastic bags and freeze until ready to cook.) Repeat the rolling and cutting process with the remaining pasta dough.
• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rapid boil.
• When the sauce is thick and the flavors are well developed, remove the herb bundle. Stir in the cream and set aside until ready to serve.
• Drop 3 servings of pasta (half the full amount of noodles) into the boiling water and stir immediately. Leave the pasta to cook, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer about 1 1/2 cups sauce to a large skillet over medium heat. Once the noodles are done, use tongs to transfer them to the pan. Allow some of the pasta water to get in the pan to help thicken the sauce. Toss well and add more sauce if necessary; simmer 1 to 2 minutes. Finish with grated Parmesan and toss again. Divide among 3 bowls and serve with more Parmesan. Repeat with the remaining pappardelle and sauce (you will have some sauce left over).
• Mound the flour in the center of a clean countertop or cutting board. Make a well in the center of the flour 3 to 4 inches wide.
• Crack the eggs into the well and add a pinch of salt. Using a fork, break the yolks and begin to beat the eggs as you would if making scrambled eggs.
• Continue stirring the eggs with a fork in large circles, slowly incorporating the flour. When the eggs form a thick mass and become difficult to stir, about 3 minutes, fold the loose flour from the edges into the pile with a bench scraper and knead until a smooth dough forms. Discard any excess flour.
• Shape the dough into a flat disk, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and set aside to rest for 20 minutes before rolling. If waiting more than 1 hour, refrigerate or freeze the dough. The dough will keep refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

SPICY SAUSAGE BOLOGNESE WITH PAPPARDELLE

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven or medium pot heat the olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, over medium to medium-high heat. Add the sausage and brown and crumble. Add the garlic, carrots, celery and onions, and cook to soften, 10 minutes. Stir in the wine and let it absorb, then add the stock, tomatoes, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. Bring the sauce to a bubble. Season with salt, and then stir in the basil. Simmer gently for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool the sauce and store for a make-ahead meal.
• Reheat over medium heat and stir in the milk, cooking until well incorporated.
• Heat a large pot of salted water to boil, and then cook the pappardelle to al dente. Reserve a cup of the starchy cooking water just before draining the pasta.
• Return the pasta to the drained pot and toss with half of the sauce and some starchy water. Serve the pasta in shallow bowls topped with extra sauce and some grated Pecorino-Romano.

HOMEMADE PAPPARDELLE WITH BOLOGNESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt butter with oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add next 4 ingredients. Sauté until vegetables are soft but not brown, 12 to 14 minutes. Add beef, sausage, venison, and bacon. Increase heat to high. Cook until meat is brown, breaking into small pieces with back of spoon, about 15 minutes.
• Stir in milk, wine, and tomato paste. Reduce heat to low. Simmer until sauce is thick, flavors blend, and juices are reduced, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cool 1 hour. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and chill. Rewarm over low heat.
• Cook pasta in very large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring often, 4 to 5 minutes if cooking immediately or 5 to 6 minutes if previously chilled. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. Return pasta to same pot. Add warm Bolognese and 1 cup cheese. Toss over medium heat until heated through, adding reserved cooking liquid by 1/4 cupfuls if dry. Season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer pasta to large shallow bowl. Serve, passing additional cheese.
• What to drink:
• Pour a medium-bodied red, like the Michele Chiarlo 2007 Barbera d'Asti "Le Orme" ($15, Italy).

SUNNY'S QUICK BOLOGNESE WITH PAPPARDELLE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Using your hands or a knife, break or cut the beef patties into pea-size pieces.
• In a large straight-sided skillet, combine the pizza sauce, chicken stock, heavy cream, nutmeg and beef over medium-high heat. Season with just a bit of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta in the boiling water according to the package directions. Drain, add to the sauce and grate some Parmesan over the top. Stir together until the cheese melts, then serve.

PAPPARDELLE WITH SAUSAGE & FENNEL SEED BOLOGNESE

Steps:

• Boil the sausages in their skins in a pan of water for 10 minutes. Cool slightly, then snip off the skins and discard, and finely chop the meat.
• Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. Meanwhile heat a non-stick frying pan and toast the fennel seeds for a minute or so to bring out their flavour. Tip the seeds on to a plate, then add the oil to the pan and fry the shallots or onion and garlic for about 5 minutes until soft.
• Stir in the chopped sausages, red wine, tomatoes and tomato purée and simmer for 8-10 minutes or so until the tomatoes have cooked down to make a sauce.
• Drain the pasta, return it to the pan and toss in the sauce with the fennel seeds, Parmesan and parsley. Hand round extra Parmesan at the table.

PAPPARDELLE BOLOGNESE

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add bacon; sauté until beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Add onion, celery, carrot, garlic, and thyme; sauté 5 minutes. Add veal and pork; sauté until brown and cooked through, breaking up meat with back of fork, about 10 minutes. Add wine and bay leaves. Simmer until liquid is slightly reduced, about 10 minutes. Add broth and tomato puree. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until sauce thickens, stirring often, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Bring to simmer before using.)
• Boil pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring often. Drain. Transfer to pot with sauce; toss. Serve with Parmesan.

PORK BOLOGNESE PAPPARDELLE

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the grapeseed oil until warmed. Then add the ground pork, cooking until browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove the meat from the skillet.
• In a second skillet over medium-high heat, add the wine, garlic and onions, stirring throughout the cooking until translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the cooked pork, tomatoes and peppers, and then stir in the basil and thyme. Bring the mixture to a slow roll, reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Add the cream and finish for 5 minutes. Finish with salt and pepper to desired taste. Toss the bolognese with cooked pappardelle and serve. (Shelf Life: 5 days.)

PAPPARDELLE WITH BEAN BOLOGNESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, 2 tablespoons parsley, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf. Sauté until vegetables begin to brown, about 8 minutes. Add tomato paste; stir 1 minute. Add squash; stir 1 minute. Add chopped tomatoes and all beans; stir 1 minute. Add wine and simmer 2 minutes. Mix in broth, cream, and reserved tomato juice. Simmer until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly, then cover and chill. Rewarm before using.)
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain. Return pasta to same pot. Add sauce; toss over medium heat until coated. Transfer to large bowl. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese and 1 tablespoon parsley. Serve, passing remaining 1 cup cheese separately.

PAPPARDELLE BOLOGNESE

Steps:

• Make pasta dough:
• Put 5 cups flour in a 12-inch-wide mound on a work surface. Make a 6-inch-wide well in center (down to work surface) with fist. (The outer wall should be 1 1/2 to 2 inches high.)
• Break eggs into well and add oil. Beat eggs and oil together with a fork, then gradually beat in flour from inner side of well wall, keeping wall intact while mixture is runny, until it comes together in a cohesive, kneadable mass (about two thirds of flour from mound will have been incorporated).
• Knead dough with floured hands, incorporating just enough flour on work surface until dough no longer sticks to hands. (It will still be a little tacky; you will have flour left over.)
• Set dough aside and scrape up and discard flour from work surface.
• Lightly reflour work surface using some of remaining cup flour and continue to knead dough, reflouring hands often, until smooth and elastic, about 6 minutes more. (Dough should still be slightly tacky.)
• Form dough into a ball, then dust well with flour and wrap in plastic wrap. Let dough rest 30 minutes at room temperature.
• Roll dough:
• Remove plastic from dough (reflour dough if sticky) and cut into 4 pieces. Cover pieces with a bowl.
• Set smooth rollers of pasta machine on widest setting. Flatten 1 piece of dough into a rectangle and dust lightly with flour, then feed through rollers. (Keep remaining 3 pieces covered.) Fold rectangle in half, dusting very lightly with flour if necessary to prevent sticking, and feed through rollers again. Refold and feed dough through rollers 2 more times.
• Turn dial to next-narrower setting and feed dough through rollers once without folding and then 3 times folded (fold dough crosswise or lengthwise so that it stays narrower than width of rollers), dusting very lightly with flour after folding as necessary. (If edges of dough start to crack, stop adding flour.) Catch pasta sheet with your hand as it feeds through rollers instead of letting it rumple at base of machine.
• Continue to feed pasta sheet through rollers, 4 times for each setting (first time not folded), and making space between rollers narrower, until second-to-last setting is reached. Feed sheet through rollers as for previous settings (folding so that sheet is just narrower than width of rollers is important now).
• Lightly dust work surface with flour and set rollers on last setting. Feed sheet through rollers once only (it will be about 4 feet long and thin enough to see your hand through), then lay on dusted work surface. Cut sheet crosswise into 4 roughly 12-inch sections and lay them, lightly dusted with flour, in one layer on sheets of parchment paper to dry slightly while rolling remaining pasta. (Pasta can sit for 1/2 to 1 1/2 hours; the sheets should remain flexible and edges should not dry out; 2 or 3 parchment sheets with pasta may be stacked if space is limited, but be sure top of dough sheets are dusted with flour.)
• Cut pappardelle:
• Once all sheets are rolled, or between batches if pasta is drying too fast, cut each dough sheet with pizza cutter or knife on a work surface lengthwise into noodles about 1 inch wide. Lightly toss pappardelle with flour if at all sticky and lay in very loose nests on parchment paper.
• Cook pasta and assemble dish:
• Heat 3 cups of bolognese sauce in a 12- to 13-inch heavy deep skillet over moderate heat.
• Shake flour from pappardelle and cook in an 8-quart pot of boiling water seasoned with 2 tablespoons kosher salt, stirring occasionally to keep noodles separate, until al dente, 1 to 2 minutes. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain pasta in a colander (do not rinse).
• Add pasta and about 1/2 cup of reserved cooking water to skillet and toss with sauce. Add Parmigiano-Reggiano and cook, tossing, until pasta is well coated with sauce and cheese is melted (add more pasta water if mixture is dry), about 1 minute. Divide among 6 warmed shallow bowls and serve immediately with additional cheese.

PAPPARDELLE BOLOGNESE

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat.
• Add bacon; saute until beginning to brown, about 6 minutes.
• Add onion, celery, carrot, garlic, and thyme; saute 5 minutes.
• Add veal and pork; saute until brown and cooked through, breaking up meat with back of fork, about 10 minutes.
• Add wine and bay leaves.
• Simmer until liquid is slightly reduced, about 10 minutes.
• Add broth and tomato puree.
• Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until sauce thickens, stirring often, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Bring to simmer before using.).
• Boil pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring often.
• Drain.
• Transfer to pot with sauce; toss.
• Serve with Parmesan.

PAPPARDELLE WITH VEGETABLE "BOLOGNESE"

Steps:

• Soak mushrooms in boiling-hot water 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pulse carrots, celery, shallots, and bell pepper together in a food processor until chopped.
• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Add chopped vegetables, rosemary, salt, and pepper and sauté, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are golden brown and tender, about 12 minutes.
• Lift mushrooms out of soaking liquid, squeeze excess liquid back into bowl (reserve liquid), and rinse mushrooms well to remove any grit. Finely chop mushrooms, then add to vegetables in skillet along with tomato paste. Cook over moderate heat, stirring, 1 minute. Add wine and boil until wine is reduced by about half, about 2 minutes.
• While sauce is cooking, cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta-cooking water in a heatproof measuring cup, then drain pasta in a colander.
• Add reserved mushroom-soaking liquid to sauce and bring to a simmer. Add pasta and 1/2 cup reserved cooking water to sauce, tossing to coat (thin sauce with additional cooking water if necessary). Stir in cheese and serve immediately.

PAPPARDELLE WITH DUCK BOLOGNESE AND TUSCAN KALE

Steps:

• Trim the excess flap of skin on each duck leg and remove visible fat. Season all over with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Add the duck, skin side down, and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer the duck to a platter. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat.
• Add the pancetta to the pot and cook over medium heat until it renders some of its fat and begins to crisp. Add the onions, celery, carrot, and parsley and sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes and wine. Bring to a simmer and reduce until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Return the duck to the pot, skin side up. Add the stock and the Parmesan rind (if using) and bring to a simmer. Cover and adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Simmer until the meat is tender and pulls readily from the bone, about 1 1/2 hours. Lift the duck legs out of the sauce and set them aside to cool.
• Tear each kale leaf into 3 or 4 pieces. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the kale and blanch for 30 seconds, then drain in a sieve and cool quickly under cold running water. Squeeze well to remove excess water. Finely chop.
• Pull the duck meat off the bones and dice it. Return it to the sauce and reheat gently. Stir in the kale and the milk. Simmer gently for about 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Set aside 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. Toss well, moistening if necessary with some of the reserved pasta water. Divide among warm bowls and serve immediately. Pass Parmesan cheese, if desired.
• Enjoy with Cakebread Cellars Carneros Pinot Noir or another rich Pinot Noir.

PAPPARDELLE WITH BOLOGNESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Roll out, not too thin: 1 recipe Fresh Pasta (page 89).
• Cut into 3/4-inch-wide noodles. Toss the noodles with extra flour and lay them out on a plate or baking sheet, cover them with a towel, and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Grate: 2 to 3 ounces Parmesan (about 1/2 cup).
• In a small saucepan over low heat, warm: 2 cups Bolognese Sauce (page 227).
• Cook the noodles in the boiling water for 3 or 4 minutes, until al dente. While the noodles are cooking, melt in a large sauté pan: 2 to 3 tablespoons butter.
• Turn off the heat. Drain the noodles, reserving a small amount of the hot pasta water. Put the noodles into the warm pan with the butter and toss with two thirds of the grated cheese and: Salt.
• Moisten with a bit of the pasta water if needed. Divide the noodles among 4 pasta bowls or place on a warm platter. Spoon the sauce over the noodles. Sprinkle with the rest of the cheese and: 1 tablespoon chopped parsley.
• Serve immediately.
• Variations
• Add about half the Bolognese sauce when you toss the noodles with the butter and two thirds of the cheese, and spoon over the rest when you plate the noodles, as above.
• For the Bolognese sauce, substitute Mushroom Ragù (page 228).

PAPPARDELLE BOLOGNESE CON VERDURE

Steps:

• Soak mushrooms in boiling-hot water 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pulse carrots, celery, shallots, and bell pepper together in a food processor until chopped.
• Heat olive oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking.
• Add chopped vegetables, rosemary, salt, and pepper and saute, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are golden brown and tender, about 12 minutes.
• Lift mushrooms out of soaking liquid, squeeze excess liquid back into bowl (reserve liquid), and rinse mushrooms well to remove any grit.
• Finely chop mushrooms, then add to vegetables in skillet along with tomato paste. Cook over moderate heat, stirring, 1 minute.
• Add wine and boil until wine is reduced by about half, about 2 minutes.
• While sauce is cooking, cook pasta in a 6 to 8 quart pot of boiling salted water until 'al dente'. Reserve 1 cup pasta-cooking water in a heatproof measuring cup, then drain pasta in a colander.
• Add reserved mushroom-soaking liquid to sauce and bring to a simmer. Add pasta and 1/2 cup reserved cooking water to sauce, tossing to coat (thin sauce with additional cooking water if necessary).
• Stir in cheese and serve immediately.

BOLOGNESE WITH PAPPARDELLE

Steps:

• In a big pot, heat the oil over med-high heat; then add in the pancetta; cook, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and the fat is rendered, 3-4 minutes.
• Add in the sirloin and pork to the pot and brown for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to break up the lumps.
• Add in the onions, garlic, carrot, and celery; cook, stirring until the vegetables are softened, 6-7 minutes.
• Add salt and pepper and the nutmeg, bay leaves, thyme, marjoram, and red pepper flakes.
• Add in the tomato paste and stir for a minute or so, then add the wine and scrape up all the drippings.
• Reduce the wine by half for 2-3 minutes, then stir in the stock and bring to a boil.
• Decrease heat to a simmer and thicken the sauce for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally to keep the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
• When you are ready to serve, bring a large pot of water to a boil; salt the water, and cook the pasta to al dente.
• Add the milk to the sauce and simmer for a couple of minutes to heat through.
• Discard the bay leaves and adjust the seasonings to taste.
• Turn off the heat.
• Once the pasta is done, reserve about a cup of pasta water before draining.
• Drain the pasta and toss it back into the pot it was cooked in along with the reserved water, about a cup of grated cheese, and chopped parsley.
• Add half the pasta sauce and toss well to coat.
• Serve the pasta in shallow bowls, topped with additional sauce.
• Pass the remaining cheese at the table.

PAPPARDELLE WITH VEGETARIAN BOLOGNESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Step 1
• Soak mushrooms in boiling-hot water 15 minutes.
• Step 2
• Meanwhile, pulse carrots, celery, shallots, and bell pepper together in a food processor until chopped.Heat olive oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking.Add chopped vegetables, rosemary, salt, and pepper and saute, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are golden brown and tender, about 12 minutes.
• Step 3
• Lift mushrooms out of soaking liquid, squeeze excess liquid back into bowl (reserve liquid), and rinse mushrooms well to remove any grit.
• Step 4
• Finely chop mushrooms, then add to vegetables in skillet along with tomato paste. Cook over moderate heat, stirring, 1 minute.
• Step 5
• Add wine and boil until wine is reduced by about half, about 2 minutes.
• Step 6
• While sauce is cooking, cook pasta in a 6 to 8 quart pot of boiling salted water until 'al dente'. Reserve 1 cup pasta-cooking water in a heatproof measuring cup, then drain pasta in a colander.
• Step 7
• Add reserved mushroom-soaking liquid to sauce and bring to a simmer. Add pasta and 1/2 cup reserved cooking water to sauce, tossing to coat (thin sauce with additional cooking water if necessary).
• Step 8
• Stir in cheese and serve immediately.

PAPPARDELLE BOLOGNESE

Steps:

• In an 8-10 quart, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, carrots and garlic and cook over medium heat until the vegetables are translucent but not browned, approximately 5-10 minutes. Add the veal, pork, beef and pancetta and stir into the vegetables. Brown the mixture over high heat, stirring to keep the meat from sticking. Add the tomato paste, wine, milk and thyme, bring just to a boil, then cover and simmer over medium-low heat for several hours. Season with salt and pepper to taste. At the host's home, just before serving, boil and salt the water for the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reheat the sauce and spoon a generous amount over each dish of pasta. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmagiano-Reggiano cheese. Chef's notes: This recipe calls for 3 lbs of meat we chose to use the beef, pork, veal combination but you can choose any 3 lb. combination that works for you or your group. Whether you choose all beef or just pork and veal it's up to you as long as you stick with 3 lbs of total meat. Consider any dietary restrictions and/or preferences and plan accordingly. If you decide to go with all three, most stores sell a combination meatloaf mix with all three packaged together! We found it at Whole Foods. We used Severino brand "Hand Nested Pappardelle" pasta found in the cheese section at Whole Foods (you'll use three bags of this brand), which we highly recommend, although any fresh or dried pappardelle will do. The original recipe says to simmer the sauce for 1 to 1 ½ hours but we found it needed more time and actually cooked it on medium-low and low heat for closer to four hours (stirring occasionally). We felt it needed the extra time to really let the flavors blend, the veggies break down and the wine to cook off. Make sure to keep it covered though, so it doesn't dry out too much. You can make the sauce a day ahead or the morning of if you wish then just refrigera