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 meal prep 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!
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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!
ingredients
- Ground Beef - You can use whatever ground protein you prefer.
- Bacon - Bacon makes everything better.
- Yellow Onion - My preferred cooking onion, but use your favorite.
- Carrots - For just a touch of sweetness to balance out the sauce.
- Celery - I love celery in slow cooked sauces. The flavor is fantastic.
- Mushrooms - Baby Bella or cremini are my picks. White mushrooms will work, too.
- Garlic - Measure this with you heart. You can never add too much.
- Canned Whole Peeled Tomatoes - Whole tomatoes in a can will always be a better choice and better quality. They break down wonderfully. I recommend these every time over diced canned tomatoes.
- Dried Basil - A classic Italian herb.
- Dried Oregano - For depth and earthiness.
- Dried Thyme - Thyme and beef are good buddies, especially in slow cooked sauces.
- Dried Rosemary - For a punch of herbaceousness.
- Water - You could also use broth.
- Bay Leaves - I use them anytime I am doing a slow cooked sauce recipe. It like a more earthy oregano. Just remember to remove them before you eat. You don't want any in your teeth.
- Parmesan Rind - Save your rinds and keep them in the freezer. They add a ton of flavor to soups, stews, and sauces.
- Heavy Cream or Whole Milk - To cut acidity.
- Kosher Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper - Basic seasonings for just about everything.
equipment
Buy Now → How to Make Bolognese Sauce
When I say this sauce is simple, I mean it. The best things in life are and this is no exception. In my opinion, this recipe is truly a classic comfort food dish and is always a welcome sight for my family.
- Render bacon in a large dutch oven on medium-high heat.
- While bacon is cooking, pulse vegetables in a food processor until finely minced. You want the veggies to be about the size of the ground beef. This helps hide them from small children. They'll never even notice. This is called Parenting 101.
- Add veggies to pot along with the bacon and its rendered fat.
- Once veggies have softened a bit, add the ground beef and continue cooking until browned.
- Once beef is browned, add the canned tomatoes and herbs.
- Add water, bay leaves, and parmesan rind.
- Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for about 2 hours.
- To finish, stir in the heavy cream or milk.
- Check for salt and pepper.
- Serve the bolognese with your favorite pasta, veggie noodle, or as a base to a wonderful Italian style soup!
frequently asked questions
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! My bolognese sauce recipe is 100% gluten-free! Serve it over your favorite GF pasta and enjoy!
Can this recipe be made dairy-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.
Does this recipe freeze well?
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.
What is a parmesan rind and where do I get them?
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.
recipe tips and tricks
- Double this recipe, portion out, and freeze. It thaws out wonderfully and makes dinner super easy on busy days!
- If you don't like mushrooms, simply leave them out!
- I highly suggest using a food processor to break down the veggies. It eliminates a ton of time and effort!
- Top with crushed chili flakes and extra parmesan cheese!
- Serve this over your favorite pasta or as a base to lasagna soup!
- Please, for the love of Italian food, serve this along side a big hunk of crusty bread.
storage and reheating instructions
- Bolognese will stay good in the fridge up to 3 days if stored in an airtight container.
- Freeze this sauce for up to 3 months.
- To reheat in the microwave, cover with paper towel and heat slowly in small increments.
- To reheat on the stove top, add portion to a saucepan and warm over medium-low heat.
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If you guys make this Bolognese Sauce Recipe, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every one of your comments!
Recipe
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 tablespoon dried basil
- 2 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon 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.
- Pulse the onion, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and garlic in a food processor until finely minced - about the size of the ground beef. 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.
- Bring mixture to low boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, on low for 2-3 hours.
- Stir in the heavy cream.
- Salt and pepper to your taste. Serve over pasta of choice. Garnish with lots of parmesan and red chili flakes!
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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