Hearty Penne Bolognese with Chicken and Bacon
Indulge in this rich and savory Hearty Penne Bolognese, featuring a delicious blend of ground chicken, beef, and Italian sausage, enriched with smoky bacon. This classic Italian dish combines fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a lush tomato sauce, all served over perfectly cooked penne pasta. Perfect for a family gathering or a special dinner with friends, this recipe is sure to impress with its depth of flavor and comforting textures.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
penne pasta
1 - 1.5 lb (cooked according to package instructions)
bacon
6 slices (sliced thin)
ground chicken
0.5 lb (none)
ground beef
0.5 lb (none)
Italian pork sausage
0.5 lb (removed from casing)
onion
0.5 cup (chopped)
celery
0.5 cup (chopped)
red bell pepper
0.5 cup (chopped)
zucchini
1 small (chopped)
garlic
5 cloves (minced)
whole tomatoes
28 oz (or diced tomatoes pureed in a blender)
tomato sauce
15 oz (none)
tomato paste
6 oz (none)
dry red wine
1 cup (none)
rosemary
1.5 teaspoons (dried or fresh)
ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon (none)
Sauterne or Marsala
1/4 cup (none)
fat-free evaporated milk
1 cup (or regular)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the sliced bacon until the fat is rendered. Drain excess fat.
2
Add the ground chicken, beef, and Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned, stirring frequently, then drain off any additional fat.
3
Stir in the chopped onion, celery, red bell pepper, zucchini, and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and the vegetables soften, about 5-7 minutes.
4
Pour in the whole or pureed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste, mixing well. Add the dry red wine, dried rosemary, and ground nutmeg. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 45 minutes to develop the flavors, stirring occasionally.
5
After 45 minutes, stir in the Sauterne or Marsala, and allow the sauce to simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
6
Finally, add the evaporated milk to the sauce, stirring until well combined to create a smooth finish.
7
Serve generously over hot cooked penne pasta and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Penne Bolognese with Chicken and Bacon?
It is a rich and savory Italian pasta dish featuring a blend of ground chicken, beef, and Italian sausage, enriched with smoky bacon and a lush tomato sauce.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 8 servings.
What types of meat are included in this bolognese?
The recipe uses four types of meat: bacon, ground chicken, ground beef, and Italian pork sausage.
What is the recommended pasta for this recipe?
The recipe suggests using 1 to 1.5 lbs of penne pasta, cooked according to the package instructions.
How should the bacon be prepared?
The bacon should be sliced thin and sautéed until the fat is rendered before draining the excess fat.
Which vegetables are used in the sauce?
The sauce includes chopped onion, celery, red bell pepper, and zucchini.
How much garlic is needed?
You will need 5 cloves of minced garlic for this recipe.
What tomato products are required?
The recipe calls for 28 oz of whole or pureed tomatoes, 15 oz of tomato sauce, and 6 oz of tomato paste.
What kind of wine is added to the sauce?
The recipe uses 1 cup of dry red wine and 1/4 cup of either Sauterne or Marsala.
When should the dry red wine be added?
Add the dry red wine after mixing in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.
How long does the sauce need to simmer initially?
The sauce should simmer for 45 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
When do I add the Sauterne or Marsala wine?
Add the Sauterne or Marsala after the initial 45-minute simmer, then let it cook for another 10 minutes.
What is the purpose of adding evaporated milk?
Evaporated milk is added at the end to create a smooth, creamy finish for the sauce.
Can I use regular milk instead of fat-free evaporated milk?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of regular milk as an alternative to fat-free evaporated milk.
What spices and herbs are used for seasoning?
The sauce is seasoned with dried or fresh rosemary and ground nutmeg.
How much ground nutmeg is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
What is the preparation for the Italian pork sausage?
The Italian pork sausage should be removed from its casing before browning.
Should the meats be browned together?
Yes, the ground chicken, beef, and Italian sausage are added to the skillet and cooked until browned.
What size zucchini should be used?
The recipe specifies using 1 small zucchini, chopped.
How much rosemary is required?
Use 1.5 teaspoons of dried or fresh rosemary.
Do I need to drain the fat from the browned meats?
Yes, you should drain off any additional fat after browning the meats.
How long should the vegetables be sautéed?
Sauté the onion, celery, pepper, zucchini, and garlic for about 5-7 minutes until softened.
Can I use diced tomatoes instead of whole tomatoes?
Yes, you can use 28 oz of diced tomatoes pureed in a blender as a substitute for whole tomatoes.
Is this recipe considered a 'comfort food'?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food and described as a hearty dish perfect for family gatherings.
What is the primary category of this recipe?
The primary category for this recipe is Pasta.
How much onion is used?
The recipe requires 0.5 cup of chopped onion.
What is the final step before serving?
The final step is to stir in the evaporated milk until well combined and then serve over hot penne.
How much red bell pepper is needed?
The recipe calls for 0.5 cup of chopped red bell pepper.
What type of skillet is recommended?
A large skillet is recommended to accommodate all the meats and the large volume of sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for a special dinner?
Yes, the description notes it is sure to impress at special dinners with friends due to its depth of flavor.