We’ve been to Italy twice but never during Carnivale. Ahh! What I wouldn’t do to participate in this grand winter festival.
In Italy, Carnivale aka Mardi Gras, comes complete with masquerade balls, romping music, colorful parades and delicious food. Lots and lots of delicious food. There are even places, like Venice for example, where festivities begin weeks before. They start the party early and keep it stoked until the last bit of confetti is swept and elaborate masks are securely tucked away in anticipation of next year’s celebration.
In keeping with the Carnivale theme, Redpack Tomatoes is celebrating with a wonderful promotion which runs through March 4th. Every week, 1000 Redpack followers will get a tote bag and one lucky grand prize winner will receive a pasta stock pot, pasta related serveware and Redpack products. The total value of the prize is worth $350. I’m excited to be teaming up with Redpack to share the fun news about “Redpack Carnivale”, as well as to highlight a couple of their products in today’s recipe for Pappardelle with Bolognese Sauce.
I had the idea to make sauce mostly because we were craving it. Speaking of sauce – do you guys call it sauce or gravy? Curious minds want to know… Back to what I was saying – sauce – yes, but it couldn’t be just any sauce. It needed to be special. I wanted to heighten the complexity of its flavor as well as its texture with ingredients like crispy pancetta and dry red wine.
Bolognese was born.
Well, not born, it was actually born centuries ago, just outside Bologna, Italy, in what I imagine to be a perfectly-appointed Italian kitchen for its time. With braids of garlic hanging from the mantle of its wood-burning stove complete with yellow and blue ceramic plates propped on its hearth, where kettles and large pots bubble away and wooden spoons are strewn about this beautiful little villa where blush colored rose bushes and magnificent cypress trees line the stone drive.
Let’s start again…my take on bolognese was born.
So the thing about a bolognese sauce…a meatier sauce…is it needs a sturdier pasta to match its beefier brawn.
Enter pappardelle. This large, very broad flat noodle provides bolognese the surface it needs to create a balanced dish.
With this, the pasta doesn’t get lost and the sauce doesn’t overpower.
Balance.
This meaty sauce with its hint of wine takes wintertime comfort food to a whole new level.
We could use that right about now.
Buon Appetito!
PrintPappardelle with Bolognese Sauce
- Category: Dinner
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup carrots, thinly sliced
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 3 plump garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 4 oz. chopped pancetta
- 12 oz. ground beef
- 28 oz. Redpack Crushed Tomatoes
- 28 oz. Redpack Diced Tomatoes
- 1/4 cup dry red wine
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
- 2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 1 lb. Pappardelle
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmigianno-Reggiano cheese
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add carrots and onion and sauté until soft.
- Add pancetta and garlic, sauté until meat is crisp.
- Add beef and cook until completely browned through.
- Add tomatoes, wine, fresh herbs, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes and cook until sauce thickens.
- Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, until firm to the bite (al dente).
- Drain pasta and add sauce.
- Toss well to coat.
- Top with fresh Parmigianno-Reggiano.
- Serve immediately.
Ciao!
Lynn | The Road to Honey| says
Bolognese is my hubby’s favorite. No matter what restaurant we go to if bolognese is on the menu he will undoubtedly order it. Yours look stunning. I think I will need to hide this recipe for fear that he will be requesting each and every night. .
Annie says
That sounds just like my hubby and son! The guys love it!! Thanks so much, Lynn!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
These photos are so inviting. Pappardelle is my favorite pasta and i can dive right into this dish. I can’t wait to visit Italy.
Annie says
Thanks, Kathy! You are going to love Italy!!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This pasta looks perfect, Annie! Love the bolognese sauce. So hearty and full of flavor!
Annie says
Thanks, Gayle! It’s a very hearty meal!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
I’d LOVE to go to Carnival too…. but for now, my mouth is completely watering for this Annie! I’ve just discovered pappardelle and I am, uh, in disbelief that it’s taken me so long to find it! And your sauce! The wine, spices, chunky tomatoes, fresh herbs…. this shouts pure comfort food! Your photography is so beautiful and highlights the deliciousness of your recipe! Thank you for another fabulous recipe, Annie!
Annie says
Yes…I figured for now, this is the closest we’re going to get to Carnivale. And I’m okay with that…for now! 🙂 Thank you so much, my dear.
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says
I love this! The pasta looks so gorgeous here with those thick noodles.
Annie says
Thank you so much, Shelby!
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
This is my dream dish! Love homemade bolognese – a classic that’s the perfect comfort food! Lovely recipe, Annie! Need to give this a go soon!
Annie says
So good, isn’t it?! Thanks my dear…I tell you what – I’ll make the sauce if you cover dessert!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Really enjoyed this post, Annie … what beautiful photos … and a beautiful-sounding sauce! (see, I called it sauce, not gravy)
I agree that bolognese goes really well with pappardelle. It’s great with a sausage-based sauce, too!
Annie says
Oh gosh, now my wheels are turning! I’m suddenly craving this sausage-based sauce you speak of!! 🙂 Thank you so much, Helen!
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
We call it sauce, but my in-laws call it gravy. I think that’s a New England thing? Annie, you can make this for me any time. Yum! I love your description of the Italian kitchen…it was like a mini vacation. (But I won’t be satisfied until I return to Italy.) 🙂
Annie says
Yeah…my entire family calls it sauce but I’ve known folks to call it gravy. And yep, I agree with you…I won’t be satisfied until I’m eating arancini on the Spanish Steps! Thanks, Andrea!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
You definitely have got me craving a bowl of hearty pasta right now Annie! This recipe and the images are just mouthwateringly divine!
Annie says
That means a lot to me, Thalia! Thank you so much! 🙂
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
That sauce looks pretty amazing Annie! I don’t think I’ve ever had that kind of pasta before though, I’ll have to look for it! Pinned!
Annie says
Thank you, Stacey! I appreciate that! I must say, pappardelle is one of my new favorites!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Your photos are genius! Love the touch of red pepper and the sauce looks to die for 🙂
Annie says
Thank you so much, Medha!! You know….it is a nice little wave of heat from the red pepper. 🙂
Olivia @ Olivia's Cuisine says
Annie, seriously… this is not fair! Im drooling like a child that can’t eat the ice cream, or something. Bolognese is my favorite sauce (I call sauce!). And I also use tomatoes in mine, even though the original only asks for tomato paste. You will have to FEDEX me some right now because I’m really frustrated I can’t reach through the screen..
Annie says
Oh no!!! I’m so sorry – send me your address! Yes, I used a lot more tomato than the original calls for, and that recipe also includes milk. I’m so glad you like this version!! Thanks, dear! 🙂
Rachelle says
Goodness! Where to begin? That sauce? Spot on. Must have. Carnivale? Want to go. That kitchen you described? Already went. I just adore every single thing about this post. I think I have those same stemless wineglasses in your beautiful photos. 🙂
Annie says
Thank you so much, Rachelle!! This was a fun one to write! And eat!! 🙂
Gingi says
This looks so yummy! And I am beyond jealous that you’ve been to Italy twice! – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Annie says
Thanks, Gingi! It is quite yummy! I know – I’m a very lucky lady! 🙂
mira says
Carnival sounds like a lot of fun Annie! And the bolognese sauce you made looks delicious! I was planning on cooking pasta for dinner and will probably try this recipe!
Annie says
Doesn’t it sound fun?! I would love to experience it just once! Thanks, Mira! Enjoy!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Annie, bolognese sauce is like my fave thing to make and pappardelle noodles are my fave!! I LOVE how you described that Italian kitchen . . with braids of garlic hanging from the mantle of its wood-burning stove . . you transported me to Italy. . ah, I wish I could really go there!!! love this bolognese sauce!!
Annie says
This dish absolutely says Italy to me. I’m so happy you felt transported! Really, so happy! Thanks, dear! Have a great weekend!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Your bolognese sauce looks absolutely perfect, Annie! So hearty and delicious! Love Redpack tomatoes! Especially with the pappardelle – broad noodles are my favorite!
Annie says
Thank you so much, Kelly! Sometimes only a hearty sauce will do!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I would love to visit Italy for this too, but we have only been to Rome and that was in June. Any excuse to go back though haha
Annie says
Oh yes – any excuse to go back!! We were in Rome and Florence in August, with some day jaunts to other places which included Venice – but it’s never enough!! Thanks, Dannii!
Joanne says
I wish I were in Italy right now also!! Sigh. Someday!! Redpack tomatoes have always been my parents’ tomatoes of choice when making tomato sauce…your bolognese looks so hearty and delicious!
Annie says
Redpack is an awesome product! Oh yesss…I dream of being there everyday! Thanks, Joanne! Happy Friday!
Laura says
This looks absolutely delicious Annie! I love Redpack. Use their products all the time!
Annie says
Thanks, Laura! Have a nice weekend!