Rich, slow-cooked Tuscan meat sauce perfect for pasta or polenta, full of savory, layered flavors.
# Components:
→ Meats
01 - 14 oz ground beef
02 - 7 oz ground pork
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 medium carrots, finely diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, finely diced
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
→ Liquids
07 - 2/3 cup dry red wine
08 - 21 oz canned whole tomatoes, crushed by hand
09 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
10 - 3/4 cup beef or chicken stock
11 - 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon whole milk
→ Fats & Seasonings
12 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
13 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
17 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
18 - Salt, to taste
→ To Serve
19 - Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (optional)
20 - Cooked pasta or polenta
# Preparation Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large heavy-based pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 7 to 8 minutes.
02 - Incorporate minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add ground beef and pork. Break up the meat with a spoon and cook until browned and moisture evaporates, approximately 10 minutes.
04 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in red wine, scrape browned bits from the pot, and simmer until mostly evaporated, about 3 minutes.
05 - Add crushed tomatoes, stock, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine.
06 - Bring mixture to a gentle simmer. Partially cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 2 hours.
07 - Stir in whole milk and continue to simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until sauce thickens and deepens in flavor. Adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Discard bay leaf. Serve sauce hot over cooked pasta or polenta, topped with optional Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
