Published: · Modified: by Ashley · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments
This hearty Italian beef sauce is cooked in a similar way to a stew, with tender ground beef (either chuck or sirloin) simmering in a delectable soffrito base of finely chopped onions, carrots, celery, and aromatic herbs. The resulting sauce bursts with savory flavors and pairs perfectly with spaghetti or pappardelle pasta for a satisfying and comforting meal.
Bolognese Sauce Recipe Ingredients and Recipe Notes
- Soffrito: the bolognese's foundation has a deep taste owing to sautéed onions, carrots, and celery simmered in aromatic garlic until the onions are slightly softened.
- Fresh herbs: fresh thyme and basil leaves are plucked from their stems and put in with crushed tomatoes to add a wonderful herby flavor to this sauce.
- Crushed tomatoes: when selecting tomato sauce, aim for San Marzano, when possible.
- Dry red wine: because I do not drink alcohol, I used an alcohol-free red wine alternative. This ingredient will add more flavor to the sauce.
- Beef: use ground sirloin or chuck.
- Milk: this ingredient will help cut the acidic notes of tomatoes. We don't want to add sugar to help. Instead, we will add a more traditional ingredient—milk.
How to Make Bolognese Sauce
Instructions
- Begin by heating a large pot over medium heat. Once heated, drizzlein the olive oil, followed by the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook until the onions are tender and the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the ground meat and season with salt u0026 pepper. Stir-fry until the meat is brown, breaking up any large chunks of beef into smaller pieces.
- Once the meat has browned, add the dry red wine (or red wine alternative) to the pot, string, and scrapping any bits on the bottom of the pot.
- Add milk and give it a quick stir to combine all ingredients. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Add the crushed tomato sauce and herbs. Stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid and cook for 30 minutes or up to 60 minutes.
- Serve over spaghetti or pappardelle with grated parmesan and fresh chopped parsley.
Crockpot Bolognese
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium heat. Once heated, add olive oil, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, salt, and pepper; cook until tender; transfer to a slow cooker.
- Return the same pot to medium heat. Add the beef and separate chunks of meat with a spoon, and cook until the meat is brown and cooked through, stirring frequently; about 7-10 minutes.
- Add the wine to the cooked beef. Stir and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Add the milk, give another stir, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Finally, add the crushed tomatoes, and herbs. Stir and combine all ingredients.
- Transfer to a slow cooker, cover, and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours, or until thickened.
What Does Adding Milk to Bolognese Sauce Do?
One way to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and red wine in bolognese sauce is to add milk. While some recipes suggest adding sugar to achieve the same effect, using milk is a better choice if you want to avoid added sugar.
Serving Suggestion
Serve this incredible Italian beef sauce over spaghetti or pappardelle pasta. Add a generous grating of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and freshly chopped parsley.
Begin by whirling the cooked spaghetti in the center of a pasta bowl with a pair of tongs. Next, spoon a couple of scoops of the sauce. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and allow the person to toss and combine as they wish.
Enjoy with rustic garlic bread or a simple side salad.
How to Store
Refrigerate any leftovers in a container with a lid for up to 3 days. Freeze any leftovers in a freezer-safe container or plastic bag for up to 6 months.
Crave-Worthy Dinner to Try.
Homestyle Beef Stew Recipe: This hearty stew features a slow-cooked beef simmered with potatoes, carrots, and sweet peas.
Best Homemade Chili Recipe. It's truly the best homemade chili recipe. Ground beef simmered in an aromatic tomato-based chili sauce with loads of garlic and spices.
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes
Bolognese Sauce
Authentic Italian-style bolognese sauce that pairs perfectly with spaghetti or pappardelle pasta for a satisfying and comforting meal.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time40 minutes mins
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Bolognese Sauce
Servings: 4 people
Author: Ashley
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups diced onion about 1 large onion
- ½ cup diced carrot about 1 carrot
- 1 cup diced celery about 2 celery stalks
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 teaspoons salt divided
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper divided
- 2 pounds ground beef like chuck or sirloin
- 1 cup dry red wine I used alcohol-removed wine
- ½ cup milk
- 1 28 oz can San Marzano-Style crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil
- 1 pound cooked spaghetti or pappardelle, chopped fresh parsley, and grated Parmigiano for serving
Instructions
To begin, heat a big saucepan over medium heat. Once heated, drizzle in the olive oil. Add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of pepper. Cook until the onions are soft and the garlic is aromatic, about 5 minutes.
Add the ground beef. Season with beef with the remaining teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper. Cook until the meat has browned, breaking up any large chunks of beef into smaller pieces.
Once the meat has browned, add the dry red wine (or alcohol-removed red wine alternative) to the pot, stirring, and scrapping any bits on the bottom of the pot.
Add milk and give it a quick stir to combine all ingredients. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Add the crushed tomato sauce, thyme, and basil. Stir to combine.
Cover the pot with a lid and cook on low heat for at least 30 minutes or up to 60 minutes.
Serve over spaghetti or pappardelle with grated parmesan and fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Martha Stewert's Slow Cooker Cookbook
More Dinner
- Turkish Pepper Steak Recipe
- Zuppa Toscana Recipe (Pork-Free)
- Steak Salad with Pickled Fennel and Parmesan
Reader Interactions
Comments
Jared says
This bolognese sauce was so good! Thanks for the recipe!Reply
Ashley says
You're welcome, Jared.Reply
Nicole says
My family loved it! I'm going to make it again for my mother's birthday dinner.Reply
Ashley says
That's great to hear, Nicole.Reply
