Rustic Soul-Warming Hearty Bolognese Sauce Recipe

Cooking a classic bolognese sauce with rich, deep flavors transports you straight to the heart of Italian regional cuisine.

Slow-simmered ground beef blends perfectly with aromatic herbs and vegetables in this comforting bolognese sauce recipe.

Layers of tomato, wine, and tender meat create a robust meal that speaks to traditional cooking techniques.

The sauce develops incredible depth as it gently bubbles on the stovetop, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

Each spoonful promises a symphony of carefully balanced ingredients that meld together seamlessly.

Fresh herbs and a touch of cream elevate this classic dish from simple to extraordinary.

Jump into this culinary adventure and savor every delicious bite of this time-honored Italian favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 4

What to Use in a Bolognese Sauce

• Onion: Builds deep, sweet foundation for the sauce with its caramelized flavor.
• Carrots: Adds subtle sweetness and natural depth to the sauce's complexity.
• Celery: Provides earthy undertone and traditional mirepoix base for rich texture.
• Garlic: Introduces sharp, pungent aroma that elevates the entire sauce profile.

• Olive Oil: High-quality extra virgin ensures smooth sautéing and authentic Mediterranean flavor.

• Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning vegetables during initial cooking stage, balancing overall taste profile.

Tools for Slow Simmering Bolognese

• Large heavy-bottomed pot: Essential for building deep flavor and even heat distribution.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring ingredients without scratching the pot's surface.
• Chef's knife: Needed for precise chopping of onions, carrots, and celery.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean, stable surface for preparing vegetables.
• Measuring cups: Helps ensure accurate ingredient quantities.
• Spatula: Useful for scraping and mixing ingredients smoothly.

Cooking Bolognese from the Ground Up

• Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Heat a large pot over medium flame. Pour in olive oil and toss in chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Cook these veggie companions until they become soft and translucent, releasing their delightful flavors into the pan.

• Awaken the Garlic

Drop minced garlic into the vegetable mixture. Stir quickly and let it dance around the pot for about a minute, filling your kitchen with its incredible aroma.

• Brown the Meat

Add ground beef to the pot, breaking it into small pieces. Cook until the meat turns a rich, golden brown and loses its raw appearance. The sizzling sounds will tell you it’s doing its magic.

• Build the Flavor Base

Pour in red wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up all those delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom. Let the wine simmer and reduce, concentrating its robust flavor.

• Simmer the Sauce

Add crushed tomatoes, creating a luscious base. Lower the heat and let the sauce gently bubble, allowing all ingredients to meld together. Stir occasionally and let time work its magic.

• Season and Perfect

Sprinkle in salt, pepper, and herbs. Taste and adjust seasoning. Let the sauce simmer low and slow, developing deep, complex flavors that will make your taste buds dance.

• Final Touch

Cook for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken and become rich, perfect for coating your favorite pasta.

Flavor Boosters for Bolognese Sauce

• Enhance the depth of your Bolognese by using a mix of ground meats like beef, pork, and veal for a more complex taste profile.
• Let the sauce cook on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, to develop rich, intense flavors that melt in your mouth.
• This sauce freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it perfect for meal prep and quick weeknight dinners.
• For a lighter version, swap beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives to accommodate different dietary needs while maintaining the classic Bolognese essence.
• Sneak in extra vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms to boost nutrition without compromising the traditional sauce's hearty character.

Serving Pasta with Bold Bolognese

• Pasta Perfect Pairing: Toss this rich Bolognese sauce over al dente spaghetti, pappardelle, or rigatoni for a classic Italian dinner experience. The wide, hearty noodles catch the meaty sauce beautifully.
• Gourmet Garnish Goals: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese on top and add a few torn basil leaves for a burst of fresh flavor and elegant presentation.
• Leftover Love: Transform extra Bolognese into a delicious shepherd's pie by layering it under mashed potatoes, or use as a filling for stuffed bell peppers for a quick next-day meal.
• Bread Buddy Bonus: Serve with crusty garlic bread or toasted ciabatta slices to soak up every last drop of this delectable sauce, making your meal even more satisfying.

Storage Ideas for Meaty Bolognese

• Whip up a double or triple batch of this sauce and freeze in portion-sized containers for quick future meals. Ideal for busy weeknights when cooking time is limited.
• Store cooled sauce in airtight containers and keep in the refrigerator for 45 days. Always use clean utensils when scooping to maintain freshness and prevent contamination.
• Transfer cooled sauce to freezer-safe bags or containers, removing excess air. Flat storage saves space and allows faster thawing. Frozen sauce stays delicious for up to 3 months.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or use defrost setting on microwave. Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to restore original texture and prevent burning.

Hearty Bolognese Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Rich, hearty bolognese sauce simmers with depth, bringing Italian culinary tradition to your kitchen. Slow-cooked beef and aromatic herbs create a comforting embrace you’ll savor with each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb/450 g ground beef
• ½ lb/225 g ground pork
• 1 can/28 oz/800 g crushed tomatoes
• ½ cup/120 ml dry red wine
• 1 cup/240 ml whole milk
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 1 medium onion (finely diced)
• 2 carrots (finely diced)
• 2 celery stalks (finely diced)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp nutmeg (optional)
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Aromatic Base: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, warm olive oil over medium heat and sauté finely chopped onion, carrots, and celery until they soften and release their delicate flavors, approximately 5-7 minutes.
2. Flavor Enhancement: Introduce minced garlic to the vegetable medley, stirring continuously to prevent burning and allow the aromatic essence to permeate the mixture, cooking for roughly 1 minute.
3. Meat Integration: Add ground beef, breaking it into fine crumbles and cooking until the meat loses its raw appearance and develops a rich, caramelized exterior, ensuring even browning throughout.
4. Liquid Infusion: Pour in red wine, allowing it to simmer and reduce, which will concentrate the flavors and tenderize the meat while deglazing the pot’s bottom to capture all the concentrated savory bits.
5. Tomato Transformation: Incorporate tomato paste and crushed tomatoes, stirring thoroughly to create a harmonious sauce base that will develop deep, complex flavors during slow simmering.
6. Slow Simmering: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the Bolognese sauce gently simmer, occasionally stirring to prevent scorching and allowing the ingredients to meld into a rich, velvety texture.
7. Final Seasoning: Adjust salt, pepper, and herbs to taste, ensuring a perfectly balanced sauce that will complement your chosen pasta.

Notes

• Chop onions, carrots, and celery into uniform, small pieces to ensure even cooking and smooth texture in the sauce.
• Use medium heat and stir frequently to prevent burning, allowing vegetables to soften and release natural sugars without browning too quickly.
• Add garlic last to prevent burning and release its aromatic oils without becoming bitter or acrid.
• Select a heavy-bottomed pot to distribute heat evenly and prevent hot spots that could cause uneven cooking or scorching.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg