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5.0 from 93 votes

Beef Bolognese Sauce Recipe

Hearty and meaty, this delicious Bolognese sauce recipe is a comforting and aromatic dish that’s packed with flavor, made with lean ground beef and veggies, and cooked to perfection.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 10 mins
Total Time
1 hr 35 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 448 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 2 large carrots roughly chopped
  • 2 stalks celery roughly chopped
  • 1 large yellow onion roughly chopped
  • 3-4 garlic cloves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or any other oil
  • Kosher salt & ground black pepper to taste
  • 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
  • 6 ounces tomato paste one can
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes one can
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth beef or vegetable broth will work
  • 3-4 prigs fresh Rosemary chopped
  • 10-12 prigs fresh thyme leaves picked
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 Parmesan rind
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan
  • 16 oz Pasta of Choice whole-grain, gluten-free if needed, or lentil pasta

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place the 2 large carrots (roughly chopped), 2 stalks celery of (chopped), 1 large yellow onion (diced), and 3-4 garlic cloves (minced) in a food processor and pulse to chop. If you don’t have a food processor with a chopping option, then you can finely dice them by hand.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped veggies and sauté for 3-4 minutes or until softens.
  3. Bring veggies to the sides of the pan and add in the middle add the 1.5 pounds lean ground beef. Season with Kosher salt & ground black pepper.
  4. Allow the meat to cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes, until it develops a golden crust.
  5. Using a wooden spatula start to stir into the meat, mincing it at the same time. Stir to combine the meat with the sautéed veggies, and continue to cook for 8-10 minutes.
  6. Add the 6 ounces tomato paste, 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, and 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth. Mix well to combine.
  7. Stir in the herbs (3-4 sprigs fresh rosemary, 10-12 sprigs fresh thyme, and 2 bay leaves), and the 1 parmesan rind.
  8. Reduce the heat to low and partially cover the pan. Simmer the bolognese sauce, stirring occasionally, for 60 minutes.
  9. Just before the sauce is ready, cook the 16 oz pasta of choice in salted water according to package instructions. Reserve 2/3 cup of the pasta water, then drain.
  10. Remove and discard the bay leaves from the sauce.
  11. While the sauce is still on the heat, add cooked pasta, starchy water, and the 1/2 cup grated parmesan. Toss well to combine and coat.
  12. Turn the heat off and divide the bolognese pasta to serving bowls.
  13. Garnish with extra parmesan if desired and ground black pepper and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use the leanest ground beef available. 
  • Any oil will work
  • Broth: we used chicken broth. but you may sub with beef or vegetable broth
  • Pasta: any pasta will work, use your favorite. For a low-carb option, you may serve your beef bolognese with zoodles.
  • Don’t be tempted to skip any of the vegetables. The three of them play off each other: the carrots add sweetness, the onions add sharpness, and the celery adds a savory component. 
  • Don’t skip the parmesan rind. While it’s too tough to eat, it adds a ton of flavor to the dish when simmered. Be sure to fish out the parmesan rind at the end.
  • A good substitute for parmesan rind would be Pecorino Romano and Gruyère
  • Don’t have fresh garlic? Use one tablespoon of garlic powder.
  • Allow the amount of time to simmer down for the best flavors. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 448kcal (22%) Carbohydrates 59g (20%) Protein 33g (66%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 58mg (19%) Sodium 487mg (20%) Potassium 1078mg (31%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 9g (18%) Vitamin A 3658IU (73%) Vitamin C 19mg (21%) Calcium 161mg (16%) Iron 6mg (33%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 448

% Daily Value*

Calories 448kcal 22%
Carbohydrates 59g 20%
Protein 33g 66%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 58mg 19%
Sodium 487mg 20%
Potassium 1078mg 23%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 9g 18%
Vitamin A 3658IU 73%
Vitamin C 19mg 21%
Calcium 161mg 16%
Iron 6mg 33%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.