5.0 from 2,031 votes
Homemade Bolognese Sauce
Bolognese is a rich, meaty tomato sauce made with ground beef and pork. It's simmered with a splash of wine and seasonings to create a restaurant worthy pasta bolognese at home!
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 359 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Condiments
Cuisine:
Italian , American
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 carrot finely diced
- 1 rib celery finely diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ pound lean ground pork
- 1 ¼ cups red wine or beef broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 can whole tomatoes with juices, 28 ounces each
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon salt more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- pappardelle or long pasta, for serving
Instructions
- In a large pot, cook onion in oil over medium heat until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add garlic, carrot, and celery, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add beef and pork. Break it up with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains. Drain fat.
- Add the wine and simmer uncovered until evaporated, about 10 minutes. Add milk and simmer uncovered until evaporated, about 8 minutes.
- Stir in tomatoes with juice, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf. Break tomatoes up with a spoon. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until thickened. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 ½ cups of pasta water and drain the pasta well.
- Toss pasta with sauce, adding pasta water to thin it out if needed.
- Serve hot with parmesan cheese.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Tomatoes: Whole tomatoes provide a bit of a thicker consistency, break them up with a spoon or with your hands before simmering. If possible, San Marzano tomatoes have the best flavor.
- Wine: When using wine in cooking, use a wine you would drink (not cooking wine).
- Reserve some pasta water when draining the pasta. Not only can it be used to adjust the consistency of the sauce, adding a little to the sauce also helps it adhere to the pasta better. Be sure not to rinse the pasta after cooking.
- For a thicker sauce, simmer a bit longer. For a thinner sauce, add pasta water.
- To Reheat - Defrost in the fridge. Heat it on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring every 15 to 20 seconds, until heated through.
- Fridge - store in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap for up to 4 days.
- Freezer - store in an airtight container, leaving about an inch for expansion, or in a zippered freezer bag for 2 - 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Calories
359
(18%)
Carbohydrates
14g
(5%)
Protein
26g
(52%)
Fat
18g
(28%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Cholesterol
78mg
(26%)
Sodium
571mg
(24%)
Potassium
929mg
(27%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
2112IU
(42%)
Vitamin C
18mg
(20%)
Calcium
126mg
(13%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 359
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 359 | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 14g | 5% |
| Protein | 26g | 52% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 78mg | 26% |
| Sodium | 571mg | 24% |
| Potassium | 929mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 2112IU | 42% |
| Vitamin C | 18mg | 20% |
| Calcium | 126mg | 13% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.