Bolognese Sauce: Hearty Italian Favorite
A rich and savory Italian meat sauce made with ground meat, tomatoes, and aromatic vegetables. Perfect for pasta dishes like spaghetti or lasagna.
Equipment
- 1 Large saucepan or Dutch oven
- 1 Wooden spoon
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Knife
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 lb ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
- 1/2 cup dry white wine optional
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground meat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 8 minutes.
- Pour in white wine (if using) and cook until evaporated, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in milk and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and let simmer gently for 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove bay leaf before serving.
- Serve over your favorite pasta or use in lasagna.
Notes
- For an authentic flavor, use a mix of ground beef and pork.
- Simmering for longer allows the flavors to deepen.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.