Let’s face it: pasta is the best! And, when it comes to choosing our favorite type, we cannot choose any other than Bolognese pasta. Its fresh ingredients and rich flavors have the power to create an unforgettable culinary experience.
Known for its outstanding pasta recipes, Mission + Market‘s Bolognese pasta is the perfect option when you’re looking for a comfort food like no other.
That’s why we’re exploring this delicious dish, from its century-old origins and quick evolution to its simple recipe and best pairings.
Are you ready to dive into this saucy journey?
History and Origins of Bolognese Pasta
To better understand the origins of Bolognese pasta, we must travel to Bologna, an Italian city. This dish was first created in the late 18th Century, and it was known as ragù alla bolognese or ragù bolognese—a meat-based sauce.
Interestingly, the earliest documented recipe for a ragù served with pasta comes from Alberto Alvisi, the cook of the local Cardinal Barnaba Chiaramonti, who later became Pope Pius VII.
Location of Bologna, Italy. Courtesy of wikipedia.org
Over time, the evolution of this dish led to the introduction of tomato, either as a puree or concentrated paste, to the original mix of ingredients. Moreover, liquids such as wine and milk are featured in modern recipes, and beef has replaced veal as the dominant meat.
Given the complex nature of the ragù, it has been interpreted in various ways over the years, as many professional chefs have adapted it into different versions. However, the common sources remain: cured meat, tomato, and cooking liquids—broth, wine, milk, etc.
Eventually, the dish—now known as Bolognese pasta—gained notorious popularity and spread worldwide, reaching far places like the United Kingdom and the United States.
Bolognese pasta, as well as other types of pasta rooted in Italian cuisine, became more and more popular as Atlanta’s food scene evolved. Italian restaurants began spreading in the city, gaining popularity and recognition from the locals.
This allowed Italian chefs to further develop their recipes and offer unique interpretations of the classic bolognese, such as the one Mission + Market offers. In fact, their recipe is based on the influence of the renowned chef Mario Batali.
How to Make Bolognese Pasta
Now that we’ve learned a bit about this dish’s history, it’s time to discover the perfect recipe to make Bolognese pasta like a professional chef.
Standing out from other restaurants in Atlanta, Mission + Market offers a recipe with an extra step—cooking the preparation in the oven for an hour. This method allows the flavors to meld together and the meat to become super tender.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of ground beef
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced onions
- 1 cup diced celery
- 12 ounces canned tomatoes
- ½ cup tomato paste
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ tablespoon ground cumin
- ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ tablespoon black pepper
- ½ cup red wine
- ¼ cup port wine
- ½ cup sweet soy sauce
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
Instructions:
- Using oil or butter, cook the beef on high heat and drain well.
- Sweat the vegetables until the onions become translucent.
- Sweat the tomato sauce for three minutes along with the meat and vegetables, then add the crushed tomatoes.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and stir well.
- Braise in a thick-bottomed pan, cover it, and cook in an oven at 375°F for about an hour.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool.
- Remove the fat and adjust the seasoning with salt.
- Serve over rigatoni pasta or any pasta of your choice.
There you have it! It doesn’t seem so difficult, doesn’t it? In our opinion, this comfort food is the perfect choice for those looking for a healthy and flavorful dish that originated in 18th-century Italy.
Pairing Suggestions
Next, we couldn’t skip the step of suggesting a few pairings to go along your Bolognese pasta.
Let’s start with wine options. First, we recommend trying Chackras, an Argentine red wine that perfectly matches the rich and savory flavors of the Bolognese pasta. Moreover, its high acidity balances out the fat in the beef, making it a seamless pairing.
Next, we have St. Huberts, a full-bodied red wine that is an excellent choice for a special occasion. Its high tannings complement the bold flavors of the Bolognese pasta.
Lastly, we have one for the white wine lovers out there—Maddalena, a Chardonnay with high acidity that cuts through the richness of the Bolognese sauce, providing a refreshing contrast.
Now, if you aren’t such a wine lover and prefer beer instead, we recommend trying one of the draft beers Mission + Market has to offer. In our opinion, Gaecity Maximus Lager is the best one since it can complement the bold flavors of the Bolognese sense in an excellent way.
However, if you are neither a wine lover nor a beer fan, you can easily order a cocktail to complement this Italian dish. We think Napoleon Complex will surely complement the Bolognese pasta like any other.
Conclusion: Don’t Miss the Chance of Trying Bolognese Pasta at Mission + Market
After seeing the rich history behind Bolognese pasta and how easy it is to prepare it, you’re probably dying to try this special comfort food, whether at home or at Mission + Market.
If you’re still doubtful about visiting Mission + Market to try their unique Bolognese pasta, you should definitely check out their menu! People wouldn’t call it the best restaurant in Atlanta for nothing, right?
Going from unique pasta recipes to spectacular seafood options and many more, it is undeniable that Mission + Market is your best bet when it comes to choosing a restaurant to enjoy an unforgettable dining experience in Atlanta.
