Authentic Bolognese Sauce
Authentic Bolognese Sauce is rich and velvety, slow-simmered to perfection in just a few hours. So good you’ll want to eat it with a spoon!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot peeled and finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef I like 88%
- 1 pound ground pork
- 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 1 cup dry white wine Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrot. Cook until softened, about 5–6 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Transfer vegetables to a bowl and set aside.
- Cook the Meat: Add ground beef and pork to the same pot. Cook over medium heat, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon until fully browned and crumbled. Drain excess grease.
- Add Tomato Paste & Deglaze: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add white wine and cook until reduced by half.
- Simmer the Sauce: Add cooked vegetables back to the pot. Stir in chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, milk, bay leaf, and nutmeg. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Season & Serve: Remove bay leaf. Season with kosher salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm over pasta with freshly grated parmesan cheese, if desired.
Notes
Make-Ahead Tips: Bolognese sauce tastes even better the next day. Prepare in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Freezing Instructions: Cool completely and store in freezer-safe containers or bags. Reheat on stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Can I skip the wine?
Yes, replace it with more stock, but wine adds complexity. You can also use non-alcoholic wine.
Yes, replace it with more stock, but wine adds complexity. You can also use non-alcoholic wine.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 490cal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 1116mg | Sugar: 13g | Fiber: 4g | Calcium: 140mg | Iron: 5mg