Classic Bolognese Sauce Recipe
Classic Bolognese Sauce is a rich, hearty Italian meat sauce made with ground beef, aromatics, milk, wine, and tomatoes, simmered to perfection. Ideal for serving over pasta or polenta, this traditional recipe delivers deep, savory flavors through slow simmering.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 small carrot, peeled and finely diced (about 1/3 cup)
- 1 small stalk celery, finely diced (about 1/4 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon ground or freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add the finely diced onion, carrot, celery, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and translucent, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef, kosher salt, black pepper, and ground nutmeg to the pot. Cook, breaking up the beef into smaller pieces with a spoon, until fully cooked and browned, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add Milk and Cook Off: Pour in 1 cup of whole milk and stir. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the milk has mostly evaporated, approximately 10 to 12 minutes. This step helps tenderize the meat and adds richness.
- Deglaze with Wine: Add 1 cup of dry white wine and stir. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the wine has mostly evaporated, about 10 to 12 minutes. This adds depth and acidity to the sauce.
- Add Tomatoes and Broth, Simmer: Add the can of whole peeled tomatoes along with their juices, breaking the tomatoes into bite-size pieces with your hands as you add them. Stir in the low-sodium chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low to maintain a very gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally and breaking up any large tomato pieces with a wooden spoon. The sauce thickens and the flavors meld beautifully during this time.
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, simmer longer to reduce more liquid.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven for even heat distribution to prevent burning.
- Feel free to substitute ground pork or a mix of beef and pork for variation.
- Serve over freshly cooked pasta such as tagliatelle for an authentic experience.
- Leftover sauce keeps well refrigerated for 3-4 days or freezes for up to 3 months.
Keywords: Bolognese sauce, classic Italian sauce, meat sauce, ground beef sauce, pasta sauce, slow simmered sauce
Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/classic-bolognese-sauce-recipe/
