The Best Bolognese Sauce Recipe: Rich & Hearty Italian Flavor
The Best Bolognese Sauce Recipe is rich, hearty and full of Italian flavor. This sauce is thick, slow-cooked and comforting.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 carrot finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg optional
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Heat oil
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Cook vegetables
- Add onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until soft and fragrant.
Add garlic
- Stir in garlic and cook until lightly golden.
Add meat
- Add ground beef and pork. Cook until browned completely.
Drain fat
- Drain extra fat if needed for lighter sauce.
Add tomato paste
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for deeper flavor.
Add milk
- Pour in milk and simmer until absorbed.
Add tomatoes
- Add crushed tomatoes and beef broth. Stir well.
Season
- Add salt, pepper, oregano, basil, bay leaf and nutmeg.
Simmer
- Lower heat and simmer gently for 90 minutes.
Stir often
- Stir every 15 minutes to prevent burning.
Thicken sauce
- Cook until sauce becomes thick and rich.
Taste
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Remove bay leaf
- Remove bay leaf before serving.
Garnish
- Top with fresh parsley before serving.
Serve
- Serve hot over pasta or noodles.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs for better aroma.
- Simmer longer for deeper flavor.
- Add red wine for richer taste.
- Use only beef for lighter sauce.
- Add mushrooms for extra texture.
- Use parmesan rind while simmering.
- Make in large batch for meal prep.