Description
A classic Homemade Bolognese Sauce recipe that’s rich, savory, and perfect for ladling over pasta or using in lasagna. This slow-simmered sauce is packed with flavor from a blend of ground beef, vegetables, and a touch of milk for creaminess.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetable Base:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Meat Sauce:
- 1 pound ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté until softened.
- Add Meat and Flavorings: Stir in garlic, add ground beef, and cook until browned. Mix in tomato paste and cook briefly.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in red wine, then add crushed tomatoes, milk, seasonings, and bay leaf. Simmer until thickened.
- Finish and Serve: Remove bay leaf before serving over pasta or using in other dishes.
Notes
- Serve over pasta, in lasagna, or spooned over polenta.
- For deeper flavor, simmer the sauce for up to 2 hours.
- Leftovers freeze beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
