Description
Bolognese Sauce is a rich, slow-cooked meat sauce that originates from Bologna, Italy. It’s a cornerstone of Italian cuisine, known for its depth of flavor, which is developed by simmering ground meat (traditionally beef, or a mix of beef and pork) with tomato, onion, celery, carrot, wine, and milk. It’s most commonly served with pasta, particularly tagliatelle, and is a fundamental component of lasagna..
Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter 
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, very finely diced (about 1 cup)
1 stalk celery, very finely diced (about ¼ cup)
½ medium carrot, very finely diced (about ¼ cup)
1 pound ground beef
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
½ cup (122.5 g) whole milk
¾ cup (180 g) beef broth
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
16 ounces tagliatelle or pappardelle noodles, or your favorite pasta, cooked al dente according to package directions, reserving about ½ cup pasta water
Shaved parmesan, for garnish
Instructions
Prepare Vegetables:
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the butter and oil.
Once the butter has melted and the oil is hot, add onion, celery, and carrot. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until softened.
Cook Ground Beef:
Add ground beef, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up the meat as you go, for about 8-10 minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink.
Simmer with Milk:
Pour in the milk and bring the mixture to a simmer. Continue simmering, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, or until the milk has mostly evaporated.
Add Beef Broth:
Increase heat to medium-high and pour in the beef broth. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 8-10 minutes, or until the broth has mostly evaporated.
Stir in Crushed Tomatoes:
Stir in the crushed tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a simmer again, stirring occasionally, for 30-35 minutes, or until thickened. Near the end of your sauce cook time, prepare your pasta.
Cook Pasta:
In a large pot, cook the pasta al dente according to the package directions. Using tongs, transfer the pasta directly from the pot to the bolognese sauce, tossing to coat.
Adjust Consistency:
Add reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, as necessary to reach your desired consistency. (You may not need to add the pasta water.)
Serve:
Serve immediately, garnished with parsley and shaved parmesan cheese as desired.
Enjoy your delicious homemade Bolognese sauce!
Notes
- For an authentic flavor, simmer the sauce for as long as possible, ideally 3-4 hours.
- This sauce freezes well, so you can make a large batch and store it in portions for future use.
- Traditional Bolognese does not use garlic or basil, but these ingredients have been included for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2.5 hours
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g