This is the absolute best bolognese sauce recipe for several reasons. It’s perfectly comforting and beyond delicious. The rich tomato meat sauce is hearty and filling for hungry kiddos and adults alike. My kids devour it, my husband loves it, and I can even serve it over a low-carb situation for myself. It’s also the perfect recipe to make in large batches and freeze for those days when you need comfort food on the table in a hurry.
It’s a win-win and a classic you’ll keep around from now on!
Let’s get started!
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Let’s Talk Bolognese Sauce
Don’t be intimidated by the word “bolognese.” Basically, it just means tomato-y (we are gonna just assume that’s an actual word) meat sauce. I’m not Italian, and growing up we simply called this type of sauce, spaghetti sauce. But, what it is, is good comfort food in a bowl. That’s all that really matters and that’s all the hungry mouths will care about. Promise.
This bolognese sauce recipe is easy, first and foremost. There are no unusual ingredients to seek out and no complicated steps to decipher. Just easy to find, whole ingredients and some time.
Low and slow is how I make this particular bolognese sauce recipe. I like to get all the ingredients in the pot and simmer for a couple hours or until the sauce is wonderfully tender and flavorful. It’s the perfect weekend recipe for when you’re not in any hurry.
That said, if you need this bolognese sauce recipe ready in a more timely fashion, simply swap out the herbs and canned tomatoes for your favorite jarred marinara. Lower the simmer time down to around 30 minutes. The end result with be incredible and you’ll be the hero of the day with dinner on the table in no time!
How to Make Homemade Bolognese Sauce
- Render bacon in a heavy-bottom pot.
- While bacon is cooking, pulse vegetables in a food processor until finely minced.
- Add veggies to pot.
- Once veggies have softened a bit, add the ground beef.
- Once beef is browned, add tomatoes and herbs.
- Add water, bay leaves, parmesan rind.
- Simmer for about 2 hours.
- Add heavy cream.
- Check for salt and pepper and then serve the bolognese with your favorite pasta or veggie noodle!
frequently asked questions
Yes! My bolognese sauce recipe is 100% gluten-free!
Absolutely. Instead of using the parmesan rind, try adding a little bit of nutritional yeast. For the heavy cream, substitute with 1 cup of your favorite almond or oat milk. You can also just leave it out all together.
This bolognese sauce recipe freezes amazingly well. In fact, that’s what I always do when I make a batch. Simply portion out the finished sauce into freezer safe containers and into the freezer. I am a huge fan of deli containers.
Once you’re ready to use the sauce, let it thaw out in the fridge a day or so before using.
The rind of the parmesan is the protective outside layer of the cheese that develops as the cheese ages. Each time I buy a wedge of parmesan, I save the rinds and put them into the freezer to add amazing flavor to soups and sauces. You can also find rinds for purchase at some grocery stores. Get some. You can thank me later.
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Bolognese Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef I recommend using a lean blend for this recipe
- 4-6 pieces bacon, diced
- 1 onion, rough chopped
- 2 carrots, rough chopped
- 2 celery stalks, rough chopped
- 8 oz mushrooms, rough chopped
- 1 head garlic, peeled
- 2 28 oz cans whole, peeled tomatoes
- 2 tbsp dried basil
- 2 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp dried rosemary
- 1 cup water
- 3-4 bay leaves
- 1 parmesan rind
- 1 cup heavy cream
- kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a dutch oven, on medium-high heat, cook bacon until fat is rendered. Into a food processor, pulse the onion, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and garlic until finely chopped. Add vegetables to the bacon and rendered fat. Continue cooking until the vegetable mix begins to soften.
- Add ground beef. Cook until meat is browned. Add tomatoes, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, stirring to combine. Add water, parmesan rind, bay leaves, and mushrooms.
- Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer on low for 2-3 hours.
- Once you have reached your desired consistency, add heavy cream.
- Salt and pepper to your taste. Serve over pasta of choice. Garnish with lots of parmesan!
Notes
Nutrition
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my easy Bolognese recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok! And, please leave a comment or review. I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces. And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
Happy Cooking!
–Rufus
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