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Bolognese

Bolognese
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This authentic Italian Bolognese sauce recipe delivers a rich, slow-cooked meat sauce with deep savory flavors and a silky texture. Made from a blend of ground beef and pork, sautéed soffritto vegetables, red wine, canned tomatoes, and finished with milk, this hearty sauce pairs beautifully with pasta, polenta, or as a lasagna base. Perfect for comforting family meals and ideal for make-ahead cooking, it develops even more flavor the next day.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

  • 250g ground beef
  • 250g ground pork

Vegetables (Soffritto)

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids & Fats

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 150ml dry red wine
  • 400g canned crushed or whole tomatoes
  • 100ml milk or cream

Seasonings

  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 bay leaf (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Base: Finely chop onion, carrot, and celery to create the soffritto. Heat olive oil and butter in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-low heat. Gently sauté the vegetables for 8-10 minutes until they soften and become fragrant, releasing their natural sweetness.
  2. Brown the Meat: Add ground beef and pork to the softened soffritto, spreading evenly. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned thoroughly and no longer pink, breaking it up finely for an even, tender texture.
  3. Deglaze with Red Wine: Pour in the red wine and let it simmer for a few minutes until reduced by half. This lifts the browned bits from the pan and infuses the sauce with rich, deep flavor.
  4. Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Stir in canned tomatoes, breaking up whole ones as needed. Add salt, pepper, and herbs such as bay leaf or thyme. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 1.5 to 2 hours to soften tomatoes and meld flavors.
  5. Finish with Milk: About 20 minutes before finishing, stir in milk or cream to mellow acidity and add silkiness. Adjust seasoning as needed for perfect balance before serving.

Notes

  • Simmer the sauce gently and slowly to intensify flavors and tenderize meat.
  • Use fresh, finely diced soffritto vegetables cooked slowly for natural sweetness.
  • Do not rush browning—the caramelization adds deep umami notes.
  • Choose a quality dry red wine to enhance the sauce’s richness.
  • Allow the sauce to rest after cooking, as flavors meld and deepen.
  • This sauce is naturally gluten-free; pair with gluten-free pasta if needed.
  • Bolognese tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep.

Nutrition

Keywords: Bolognese, Italian sauce, meat sauce, pasta sauce, authentic Italian, slow cooked, comfort food

Find it online: https://gourmetglazing.com/bolognese/