Homemade Bolognese Sauce Classic (Printer View)

Savory blend of beef, pork, tomatoes, and vegetables, simmered for rich Italian flavor. Perfect for pasta nights.

# What you'll need:

→ Main Components

01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1/2 pound ground pork
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Aromatics and Vegetables

04 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 carrots, finely chopped
06 - 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
07 - 4 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids and Tomato Base

08 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
09 - 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
10 - 1 cup whole milk or heavy cream
11 - 1 cup dry red wine

→ Herbs and Seasoning

12 - 2 bay leaves
13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
15 - Salt, to taste
16 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Finishing Touch

17 - Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

# Method:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté until vegetables are softened, approximately 5–7 minutes.
02 - Incorporate minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring continuously until fragrant.
03 - Add ground beef and pork to the pot. Break up the meat using a wooden spoon and cook until fully browned and no longer pink, roughly 8–10 minutes.
04 - Pour in the red wine, stirring to release any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until the wine reduces slightly.
05 - Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes until it darkens in color and becomes aromatic.
06 - Add crushed tomatoes, milk or cream, bay leaves, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
07 - Bring mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 90–120 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary. Remove bay leaves before serving.
09 - Ladle sauce over freshly cooked pasta and finish with grated Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Savory and satisfying flavor
  • Family-friendly comfort food
02 -
  • Letting the sauce simmer low and slow improves flavor
  • Red wine deepens the richness of the sauce
03 -
  • Use whole milk for extra creaminess
  • Simmer uncovered in the last 30 minutes for thicker sauce
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