Apr 30 2012

Homemade Pasta Bolognese

34 comments

I’m back from vacation and it royally sucks. It’s the worst feeling when you’re flying back Sunday and you realize “oh hey, I have to go to WORK tomorrow.” After being off for 3 days just sitting on a beach, waking up and doing nothing…going back into a routine is hardcore suckage. It’s like life sucker-punched you and said “this is reality!” and unfortunately, it is reality. Oh, can I just quit my job and blog full time? I swear I say it every week. I have a feeling I’m going to end up doing that in the future. Like go on maternity leave and never come back to work. If someone from work is reading this, pretend you didn’t just read that.

After eating pretty poorly the past week, and by poorly I mean amazing, over the top, decadent food, I just want a simple dish that doesn’t have all the bells and whistles to it. You know, the traditional, down-home comfort dish. That’s what this pasta bolognese dish screams at me. It’s like “eattttt meeeee for Italian comforttttt” and after that, I just want to pass out on the couch from carb overload.

I’ve always loved meat sauce with the ratio of 90/10. The more meat, the better. I love chunky meat sauces that give you a whole mouthful of meat with a little dribble of sauce in between. It’s just so much flavor and so hearty. You don’t feel jipped when it’s more meat than sauce. At least, that’s how I feel about meat sauces. I know some people like more sauce than meat, some people like the perfect 50/50. What’s great about this particular dish is, it uses leftover turkey meatballs that I made extra of and threw in the freezer, and you can make it as meaty or as little as you want. Just don’t put as many meatballs into the pan. I, used all of the ones I had in the bag, haha

I don’t think I’ve tasted anything as delicious as homemade bolognese sauce. Everything in this dish was homemade except the noodles (yes, I’m waiting for my wedding to receive the pasta attachment). The meatballs, the marinara sauce. You just can’t beat homemade version. The flavors were so tailored and so fitting. It was just a spectacular dish, if I do say so myself ;) this is something you can make ahead and freeze the sauce for and use it on weeknights that you’re just too busy or tired to cook. Definitely tailor it the way you want, you don’t have to go with my meatball recipe that I linked to above, you can use your favorite one :)

Homemade Pasta Bolognese

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Yield: 4 servings | Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

16-18 turkey meatballs

2 tbsp. olive oil

2-3 cups marinara sauce (I used a homemade one, you can use store bought or homemade)

1 lb. spaghetti pasta

Instructions:

Bring a large pot of water to boil, season with salt, and cook your pasta according to the instructions on the box.
In a large skillet, add in the olive oil and meatballs. Break the meatballs down until they’re all broken apart and essentially resembles ground meat. Cook the meat all the way through then add in 2 cups of marinara sauce. Let mixture simmer and thicken for 10 minutes. If you like your meat sauce thinner, you may add more marinara sauce.
When pasta is done cooking, drain and place into individual serving bowls. Spoon meat sauce over top and serve hot with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Source: Table for Two original

Tags: homemade pasta bolognese, homemade turkey meatballs, pasta bolognese with ground turkey

34 comments

Tracey - April 30, 2012 - 7:56 AM

Ugh, going back to work after vacation is the worst! Hope your Monday is as painless as can be :) Your bolognese looks great, you’re right – it’s pure comfort in a bowl!

Rachel Cooks (formerly Not Rachael Ray) - April 30, 2012 - 8:37 AM

This looks awesome! Hope your first day back at work wasn’t too terrible :)

Kathryn - April 30, 2012 - 8:41 AM

Coming back from vacation really is the worst – I’m already dreading coming back from my summer holiday in September even though it’s months and months away! The only thing that makes coming back from vacation better is a huge plate of pasta! What a great idea to use the broken up meatballs as the base for your bolognese too. Love it!

Aimee @ShugarySweets - April 30, 2012 - 8:57 AM

I know the feeling. But your dinner looks divine!

Gina @ Running to the Kitchen - April 30, 2012 - 9:15 AM

There’s an entire paragraph of this post just ITCHING for a big fat TWSS. Just so you know ;)
Bolognese is my absolute favorite Italian sauce. My mom would only make it 2-3 times a year growing up and it always felt special when we had it. It’s also one of those things I’ve just never made by myself as an adult. WHY?!!
I want to lick the screen right now and I just literally finished my coffee.

Bev Weidner - April 30, 2012 - 9:22 AM

Apparently bolognese is the go-to meal for getting BACK INTO something. <3

sally @ sally's baking addiction - April 30, 2012 - 9:24 AM

Sometimes I look forward to simple, classic dishes after a few days of over-the-top eating! Comfort in a bowl right there. PS: love that 2nd picture with the steam coming up. Looks like it belongs on a menu or in a professional magazine. :)

Julie - April 30, 2012 - 9:34 AM

HAHA, you know, I always think of you whenever there is a TWSS to be said..I can always count on my Gina for all things related to TWSS ;) we’d get along so well together in real life!

Julie - April 30, 2012 - 9:35 AM

Aww thanks, Sally. So sweet :)

Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray - April 30, 2012 - 9:44 AM

You and I are in total agreement on the meat to sauce ratio, girl. :) Love this recipe and whatever TWSS’s that may come with it. Also, ughhh I hate the back-to-work-after-vacation feeling. I sympathize and send you wishes for many comforting meals. And maybe cookies. But mostly just the comfort part.

PSLet’srunawayandjustbebloggersnomorework.

Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious - April 30, 2012 - 9:46 AM

You’re so cute – leaving for maternity leave and never going back to work. I already told Jason that when babies come, I’m going to work part-time. But then if the blog is making money, I’ll leave for maternity and never go back to work too! We can be full-time blogging mommies :)

As for the bolognese sauce, yum! Yes, a 90/10 meat to sauce ratio is DEFINITELY the way to go. Why would anyone want less meat than the sauce? It’s baffling!

Living The Sweet Life - April 30, 2012 - 10:03 AM

There is so much I want to say about this post, first ~yuuuuummm!! I’m all for a 90/10 ratio, I love an extra meaty meat sauce :)

Also, it’s like you took the words right out of my mouth when you said ” can I just quit my job and blog full time” – - I probably said that to myself 100 times this morning … one day though, one day I know it will happen – - for the both of us :)

Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats - April 30, 2012 - 10:49 AM

I looove bolognese..this sounds awesome! Youre making me really crave pasta!!

Carrie @ Kiss My Whisk - April 30, 2012 - 10:53 AM

Gotta love a meaty Bolognese! Here’s to hoping that work isn’t too painful for you today!

Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking - April 30, 2012 - 11:03 AM

I love a homemade bolognese and yours looks so comforting and delicious, Julie. Great recipe for a lazy weekend day. Now, to try and make it in the CrockPot!

Laurie {Simply Scratch} - April 30, 2012 - 11:31 AM

I agree! The meatier the better! Bring on the bolognese!!

Cassie - April 30, 2012 - 12:38 PM

Hope you are adjusting to reality ok today. Using leftover turkey meatballs is pure genius for this sauce. Droolworthy!

Megan {Country Cleaver} - April 30, 2012 - 2:07 PM

I have that feeling every day of my life. I’d give up my desk job in a second! hahah
PS – I can’t stop making TWSS jokes. IT’s a problem haha

Jackie @ Domestic Fits - April 30, 2012 - 2:39 PM

That first day back at work is the worst! This looks so simple and delicious, beautiful job :)

Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama - April 30, 2012 - 3:50 PM

ooo how I love a meaty pasta. Your Bolognese looks perfect!

Ryan @ Spicy Richmond - April 30, 2012 - 3:57 PM

So simple yet so comforting. Love!

Jessica - April 30, 2012 - 4:06 PM

I hate coming back from vacation too, but I’m so glad you did…because this looks divine!!

Nicole {Sweet Peony} - April 30, 2012 - 4:36 PM

I hate that feeling too… but this pasta is the perfect way to relax at home before work! Love it!

Rachel @ Baked by Rachel - April 30, 2012 - 5:58 PM

I totally did that – went on maternity leave and never went back. Trust me, kids are a full time job… then add blogging into the mix and wow. I’ve lost my mind. You should totally post a recap w/vacation pics for us to drool over… like this recipe ;)

Katie {Epicurean Mom} - April 30, 2012 - 6:02 PM

You and Bev clearly got the same bolognese memo! Yummy!! I agree I like a meaty bolognese sauce

Baking Serendipity - April 30, 2012 - 11:51 PM

Every time a vacation comes to an end my husband and I always say…we need to schedule this so we don’t go back to work the next day! And then we inevitably forget when we book the next trip and want just one more day of paradise. I hope your Monday return was a calm one…and love your bolognese and stay at home mom blogger dream :)

Jesica @ Pencil Kitchen - May 1, 2012 - 4:15 AM

I hate the last days of holidays too! :( feels like the worst hours!

Bec - May 1, 2012 - 5:00 AM

I agree – you can’t have meat sauce without a decent amount of meat. This looks amazing! It has definitely been bookmarked!

amy @ fearless homemaker - May 1, 2012 - 8:19 AM

this sounds awesome! i love chunky meat sauces, too. oh, + i know what you mean about getting back to life after vacation – today is my first real day back after our awesome trip – it’s going to be a rough day!