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Classic & Easy Weeknight Bolognese Sauce

A white bowl filled with wide egg noodles topped generously with a thick, rich bolognese sauce.
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Make this rich, hearty Bolognese sauce that tastes like it simmered all day, but is simple enough for your busy weeknights. This authentic Italian meat sauce is a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine (like Merlot or Chianti)
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 pound spaghetti or tagliatelle

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 8 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned completely. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Pour in the red wine. Let it simmer and reduce by half, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, about 3 minutes. This step builds deep flavor.
  5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, and whole milk. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, and bay leaf. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  6. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let it cook for at least 45 minutes, or up to 2 hours for the best flavor. Stir every 15 minutes to prevent sticking.
  7. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Cook your pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta.
  9. Toss the cooked pasta with the rich Bolognese sauce, or serve the sauce generously over the top.

Notes

  • For a truly authentic Italian flavor, use a mix of ground beef and ground pork or veal.
  • If you skip the red wine, substitute it with an extra 1/2 cup of beef broth mixed with 1 teaspoon of red wine vinegar for acidity.
  • This hearty beef sauce freezes very well. Cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorvista.com/easy-weeknight-bolognese-sauce-recipe/