Looking for a delicious and hearty sauce to elevate your pasta dishes? Look no further than this Bolognese sauce recipe! This classic Italian sauce is full of rich flavors, easy to make, and perfect for any occasion, whether you’re cooking for your family or entertaining guests.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- Rich flavors: The combination of aromatic vegetables, ground beef, and a splash of wine creates a rich and savory sauce that will have your taste buds dancing.
- Easy prep: With simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions, this Bolognese sauce is a breeze to make, even for beginner cooks.
- Perfect for meal prep: This sauce freezes beautifully, making it a convenient option for meal prep or batch cooking.
Ingredient Notes:
- Extra virgin olive oil: Adds richness and depth of flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Enhances the richness of the sauce.
- Onion, celery, carrot: The holy trinity of vegetables that form the flavor base of the sauce.
- Garlic: Adds a savory kick to the sauce.
- Ground beef: Provides protein and richness to the sauce.
- Dry white wine: Adds acidity and depth of flavor.
- Canned crushed tomatoes: The base of the sauce.
- Tomato paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor.
- Parsley: Adds freshness to the sauce.
- Whole milk: Adds creaminess to the sauce.
- Pappardelle pasta: Traditional pasta to serve with Bolognese sauce.
- Parmesan cheese: For garnishing the finished dish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Sauté onions, celery, and carrots in olive oil and butter until softened.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Brown the ground beef with salt and pepper until cooked through.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine and simmer until most of the liquid evaporates.
- Add crushed tomatoes, water, tomato paste, and parsley. Stir in the milk.
- Simmer the sauce for at least 2 hours until thickened and tender.
- Season with salt to taste and serve over cooked pasta.
Helpful Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use a mixture of beef and pork.
- Substitute red wine for white wine for a deeper color and flavor.
- Crush canned whole tomatoes for a chunkier sauce.
- Cool the sauce completely before storing to maintain freshness.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot for even cooking and heat retention.
- Allow the sauce to simmer low and slow for the best flavor development.
- Stir the sauce occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving for a perfectly balanced dish.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve this Bolognese sauce over pappardelle pasta and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pair with a crisp green salad and a glass of red wine for a complete meal.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove or in the microwave until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I make this sauce ahead of time? Yes, this sauce actually tastes better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together.
- Can I use ground turkey instead of beef? Absolutely! Ground turkey is a leaner option that still works well in this sauce.
- Can I omit the wine? While the wine adds depth of flavor, you can substitute with beef or chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version.
- Can I freeze this sauce? Yes, this sauce freezes beautifully and is perfect for meal prep.
Conclusion:
Now that you have the perfect Bolognese sauce recipe in your repertoire, it’s time to get cooking! Whether you’re serving it up for a cozy family dinner or impressing guests at a dinner party, this sauce is sure to be a hit. Give it a try and let us know how it turns out!
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Bolognese Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Bolognese sauce recipe is a rich and flavorful meat sauce that pairs perfectly with pappardelle or tagliatelle pasta. Simmered for hours to develop deep flavors, this classic Italian dish is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, plus 2 Tbsp more to toss pasta
- 1 1/2 cups chopped onion
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and shredded
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground beef (20% fat)
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup dry white wine or red wine
- 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups hot water
- 2 Tbsp double-concentrated tomato paste or 4 Tbsp regular tomato paste
- 1/4 cup parsley or fresh basil
- 1/2 cup whole milk
To Serve:
- pappardelle or tagliatelle pasta
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Sauté: In a Dutch oven, sauté onion, celery, carrots, and garlic until softened.
- Add ground beef: Cook until browned and add salt and pepper.
- Add wine: Deglaze the pot with wine.
- Form the sauce: Add tomatoes, water, tomato paste, parsley, and milk.
- Cook: Simmer for 1.5-2 hours until meat is tender.
Notes
- Substitute ground beef with a mixture of beef and pork or Italian sausage.
- Use red wine or beef stock instead of white wine.
- Cool completely before storing in the fridge for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg