Shocking: Emily Blunt’s Turkey Bolognese

Effortless Cooking Techniques

Blunt’s use of a food processor to chop carrots and celery simplifies the chopping process and sneaks in extra veggies. Parents of picky eaters, this one’s for you. Later, she adds an ingredient that causes Garten to raise an eyebrow: whole milk. “Milk?” Garten asks. “Milk. I promise you. It really tenderizes the meat and gets it really delicious and yummy,” Blunt says.

She’s right, milk is a common ingredient found in most bolognese recipes. Adding milk creates a rich, creamy sauce all while tenderizing the meat, too. Blunt only simmers her sauce on the stovetop for a couple of minutes to let the flavors blend together, then she lets the oven do most of the cooking. “You’re going to do this in the oven aren’t you? Which is so interesting,” Garten says. “I’ve done it both ways. When it goes in the oven it kind of melts it down and gets it really caramel-ly and yummy. And then you can just walk away,” Blunt responds.

Expert Endorsements and Variations

Stanley Tucci’s Influence

One thing you’ll notice about Blunt’s recipe is that there isn’t a ton of liquid. That’s the key to her bolognese, which she learned from her brother-in-law Stanley Tucci. “I’ve got a good tip from Stanley Tucci: He says [the bolognese] should be a little drier, not as saucy,” Blunt tells Garten. The 45 minutes in the oven really reduces the sauce and makes it quite thick.

Tucci’s Quick Bolognese

We know that Stanley Tucci is very particular about his sauces—especially the meat-filled ones that normally take hours to make. After seeing him make his ragù, I figured the actor was used to standing over the stove simmering his sauce for as long as it takes to get the perfect, rich pasta topper. However, we’ve also learned that Tucci is a simple man, enjoying peanut butter sandwiches and other five-ingredient recipes. That’s why when I heard him say the words “quick bolognese” in a recent Instagram video, I knew the recipe was bound to be an easy one.

In the video, Tucci explains how he made the quick dish—joking that the method is “so boring.” “It’s kind of different, I’ve never made it this way. But, anyway, if you’re not asleep, just let me know,” he jokes. I certainly wasn’t asleep, in fact, I was taking notes on how to make the bolognese because I rarely make the sauce from scratch since it takes so long. Tucci’s method only took me 20 minutes—no joke. Here’s how to make it.

• For Tucci’s bolognese, you’ll need onion, celery, carrot, meat (the fattier, the better, according to Tucci), jarred tomatoes (Tucci uses tomatoes in water), chicken stock, and nutmeg.
• Sauté your onion, celery, and carrot—I chopped those up in my food processor to make them super fine and to trick myself into adding more veggies to the sauce—in butter and olive oil until soft.
• Add the meat and cook until brown.
• Finally, add the tomatoes—I don’t have the same access to farmer’s market ingredients as Tucci, so I just used whole San Marzano tomatoes whizzed up in the food processor because that felt Tucc-approved.
• Add in the chicken stock, nutmeg, salt, and pepper here.
• Simmer for a few minutes until all the flavors have melded, and voilá, it’s already time to eat.

Practical Applications and Takeaways

We Tried It!

After watching Blunt and Garten enjoy this one-pot turkey bolognese, I knew I had to make the recipe. For a homemade sauce, the ingredients are really simple and the oven technique is actually genius. I didn’t have to stand over the sauce and babysit it, which meant I had plenty of time to prepare the pasta, plus a side salad, and garlic bread to complement this gourmet meal.

Blunt did warn me, but the sauce is pretty dry. So if you like saucy pasta, you might want to add more tomato paste or another form of tomatoes (sorry Tucci). Other than that, this bolognese was a hit with my family. Emily Blunt, you’ve done it again. What else do you have up your gorgeous dress sleeves?

Implications for Home Cooks

This recipe is a great example of how simple ingredients and techniques can come together to create a truly delicious dish. By using a food processor to chop the carrots and celery, Blunt makes the recipe more accessible to home cooks. Additionally, the oven-based cooking method allows for a rich, caramel-ly flavor without requiring constant monitoring.

This recipe can be adapted for everyday meals, and the benefits of using simple ingredients and techniques make it a great addition to any home cook’s repertoire. So, the next time you’re looking to impress your family or friends, give Emily Blunt’s turkey bolognese a try.