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Classic Bolognese Sauce is One of the Best Italian Food Recipes

My Italian recipe is probably the tastiest Bolognese sauce recipe you have ever cooked!

➡️ Have you ever tasted classic Bolognese sauce? I am referring to the authentic Italian sauce from Bologna and not to the American version of spaghetti sauce, which most of us call, wrongly, alla bolognese sauce.

➡️ I’m not saying that the spaghetti sauces we eat at the restaurant or bought ready-made from the store are not good, and even more the ones you cook at home. It’s just that it doesn’t follow the authentic sauce recipe that originally appeared in the Italian city that gave it its name, Bologna.

➡️ If you are wondering what kind of meat this sauce contains, well, the versions differ depending on the region where the recipe comes from. Traditionally, Bolognese sauce is made from a mixture of minced pork and beef. Some modern versions are made only with minced pork (especially in Europe) or only minced beef (as in the United States).

➡️ Cooking a classic Bolognese sauce is a true labor of love. This meat-based pasta sauce originated in the city of Bologna, Italy, and is made with a slow-cooked combination of beef, pancetta, and vegetables, resulting in a rich and savory flavor that pairs perfectly with a variety of pasta dishes. The sauce is simmered for hours, allowing the ingredients to meld together into a harmonious blend of flavors that will make your taste buds sing.

➡️ Preparing this homemade pasta sauce may take some time, but the results are well worth the effort. The key to a great Bolognese sauce is patience and attention to detail. The right balance of ingredients and cooking time are crucial to achieving the desired consistency and depth of flavor. Whether you’re serving it over spaghetti, tagliatelle, or lasagna, a good Bolognese sauce is a classic dish that is sure to impress your family and friends.

➡️ In this recipe, I’ll show you how to make a classic Bolognese sauce step-by-step, from the selection of the ingredients to the final simmering process. By following my instructions, you will be able to create a delicious and authentic Bolognese sauce that will transport you straight to Italy and will enable you to enjoy one of the best Italian foods.

➡️ Once you have mastered the art of making Bolognese sauce, you can use it in a variety of Italian dishes. This sauce is perfect for classic Italian dishes such as spaghetti Bolognese, lasagna, or even as a topping for pizza. You can also use it as a filling for stuffed pasta shells or as a base for shepherd’s pie. The possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try new recipes with this versatile sauce.

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How to Make Bolognese Sauce from Scratch at Home

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Classic Bolognese Sauce

Classic Bolognese Sauce is a hearty, slow-cooked meat sauce that's a staple in Italian cuisine. The combination of ground beef, pancetta, and vegetables simmered in a rich tomato sauce creates a depth of flavor that will transport you to Italy. This sauce is perfect to serve with a variety of pasta shapes, such as tagliatelle, pappardelle, or rigatoni, but it also works well as a filling for lasagna or as a topping for baked potatoes.

The key to making a great Bolognese sauce is patience. It needs to simmer for hours to develop its rich flavor, so it's perfect to make on a lazy Sunday afternoon or a day when you have some extra time. While the recipe requires a few ingredients and some preparation, the result is well worth the effort. Once you try this sauce, you'll never want to go back to store-bought versions.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 2

Total Time 2 15

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 8 servings

Calories

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef (preferably 80% lean and 20% fat)
½ pound ground pork
4 oz pancetta, diced
1 onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup whole milk
1 cup dry red wine
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium-high heat.
Add the pancetta and cook until it starts to brown, about 5 minutes.
Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook until they start to soften, about 10 minutes.
Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add the ground beef and pork and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 15 minutes.
Add the white wine and cook until it has evaporated, about 10 minutes.
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, whole milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Bring to a simmer.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Notes

Cooking Tips:

Use a heavy-bottomed pot to prevent the sauce from burning and sticking to the bottom.
Don’t rush the cooking process. Allowing the sauce to simmer for 2 hours allows the flavors to develop and intensify.
Use freshly grated nutmeg for the best flavor.
If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to blend the sauce to your desired consistency.
Leftover Bolognese sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Keyword bolognese recipe, bolognese sauce, classic bolognese sauce

Master the Art of Cooking Bolognese Sauce!

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➡️ Bolognese meat sauce is a classic Italian sauce used in many dishes, such as lasagna and spaghetti. However, I use the leftover bolognese to make calzone pizza and pasta bake (see the recipes below.) It is a simple and very delicious sauce that can be used as a base for other meals.

➡️ Bolognese meat sauce, as many of us call it, is one of the most popular pasta sauces in the United States today. I think that cooking is both an art and a science. It requires precision, timing, and a lot of patience. One of the most important things to remember when cooking is to keep track of your ingredients. For this reason, the key to a good bolognese is using just high-quality minced meat. Most often, I use a combination of beef and pork, but sometimes just one of them. If you need additional info, read more on Bolognese Sauce!

➡️ I’ve listed below one of the best Bolognese sauce recipes and some recipes with leftover Bolognese sauce. Enjoy cooking Bolognese sauce from scratch! I also recommend you to try more tasty recipes with Bolognese sauce available on this website such as pizza Bolognese and leftover Bolognese pasta bake.

➡️ More classic Italian food recipes are available in my cookbooks Best Italian Recipes: Italian Cookbook for Beginners, Discovering Italian Cuisine: A Delightful Culinary Tour of Italian Recipes, Cooking Spaghetti: 40 Mouth-Watering Spaghetti Recipes, and Authentic Italian Pasta Recipes by Region.