If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food to bring everyone to the dinner table, this Bolognese Sauce is a winner! It’s chunky, savory, and packed with the kind of rich flavors that make your kitchen smell amazing. Whether you’re tossing it over spaghetti or layering it in a lasagna, this sauce hits all the right notes. Plus, it’s a recipe you can tweak to fit your needs – no fancy ingredients needed, just love for a good, homemade meal.
Table of content
- About The Recipe
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- How to Make the Recipe(Step-by-Step)
- Expert Tips for Success
- Variations and Customizations
- Nutritional Information
- Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Recipe Card
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Comments & Reviews
- Social Sharing Options
About The Bolognese Sauce Recipe
Who doesn’t love a warm, home-cooked meal that smells like it came straight from a cozy Italian kitchen? That’s exactly what this Bolognese Sauce offers. Picture this: a big pot bubbling away on the stovetop, the smell of tomatoes, herbs, and gently cooked meat filling the house. This traditional recipe has roots in Bologna, Italy, where people take great pride in their sauces being hearty and smooth. But don’t let that intimidate you! Making this sauce is as much about enjoying the process as it is about the delicious finished dish. The secret to this recipe is the slow cooking process. It allows all the flavors to mingle and develop, turning a handful of simple ingredients into something magical. Whether you serve it over spaghetti, pair it with garlic bread, or turn it into a base for lasagna, this sauce will become a favorite in your house for sure.Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich, hearty flavors perfect for comforting meals
- Ideal for pasta, lasagna, or even as a pizza topping
- Customizable ingredients to fit your pantry
- Freezes well for easy, future dinners
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- Ground Beef: A classic choice, but you can mix it up with ground pork or turkey for a different flavor.
- Canned Tomatoes: Use whole, peeled tomatoes for the best texture, or substitute with crushed ones if you like.
- Onions, Carrots, and Celery: This trio is a flavor starter pack! If you’re missing one, just double up on the others.
- Milk: Adds creaminess, but feel free to substitute with a dairy-free version if needed.
- Wine: Red adds depth, but you can use white or even broth if wine isn’t your thing.
How to Make the Recipe (Step-by-Step)
- Start by cooking finely diced onions, carrots, and celery in a bit of olive oil over medium heat until they soften.
- Add the ground beef (or your choice of meat) and cook until it’s browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as you go.
- Pour in a generous splash of wine and let it simmer, scraping up all the tasty bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in your canned tomatoes, crushing them with your hands or spoon as you mix.
- Add milk to the sauce, stirring to combine and create a creamy base.
- Let the sauce simmer over low heat for an hour or more, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Expert Tips for Success
Use freshly grated Parmesan for serving—it makes everything taste better!
Don’t rush the cooking time; the longer it simmers, the richer the flavor.
When storing leftovers, let the sauce cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
Variations and Customizations
Want to sneak in more veggies? Dice zucchini or mushrooms and stir them into the sauce. For a lower-fat version, use ground turkey or chicken. Or, try swapping the wine for beef or vegetable broth for a cleaner taste.
Nutritional Information
A typical serving of this Bolognese Sauce contains about 200-250 calories. It’s loaded with protein from the meat and vitamins like A and C from the veggies. While it’s not overly rich in carbs (those come from the pasta), it does have some healthy fats thanks to the olive oil. Serve it with a whole-grain pasta to up the fiber and keep you full longer.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Let any leftover sauce cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want to save some for later, freeze it in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. To reheat, just thaw in the fridge overnight and warm on the stovetop or microwave.
Recipe Card of Bolognese Sauce
Ingredients list
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, minced
- 4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 0.5 pound ground pork
- 28 ounce can Italian plum tomatoes
- 0.5 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 6 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 carrots, shredded
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 0.5 cup dry white wine
- 0.5 cup chicken stock
- 0.5 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound pasta
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In a large skillet, gently warm the olive oil over a medium flame. Toss in the minced onion, bite-sized bacon bits, and minced garlic, allowing the bacon to crisp in the golden soiree of oil for around 10 minutes. Once done, scoop out this savory mix to rest on a paper towel, letting it drain off the excess goodness, and set aside.
- Using the same well-loved skillet, elevate the heat to medium-high. Introduce the ground beef and pork, stir and let them embolden with a browned and crumbly personality, which takes about 5 to 7 minutes. With a keen eye, shy away any excessive grease.
- Now, unite the bacon melody, tantalizing tomatoes, mushrooms, inviting tomato sauce, shredded carrots, chopped celery, aromatic wine, comforting stock, and a dash of basil and oregano to the meat cameo. As the concoction heats up to a lively bubble, gently shelter it, reduce to a contemplative simmer for an hour, stirring upon whim.
- In parallel, set a spacious pot of lightly salted water dancing on the flame until in full swing. Submerge the pasta, cooking it in this vigorous whirl until reaching that perfect al dente tenderness, between 8 to 10 minutes. Drain with poise.
- Gracefully ladle the succulent sauce over steaming pasta, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully on the plate. Enjoy each bite of this lovingly crafted Bolognese!
Recipe Video
Notes
Nutrition
All Your Questions About This Recipe
Can I make this Bolognese Sauce ahead of time?
Yes! The flavors actually get even better after a day in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep.
What pasta works best with this sauce?
While spaghetti is a classic choice, try pairing it with fettuccine, rigatoni, or even pasta shells to catch all the yummy sauce.
Can I skip the wine?
Of course! Just swap it with beef or veggie broth. It still tastes amazing.