If you have a craving for a rich, comforting, and utterly delicious Italian classic, look no further than this Homemade Bolognese Sauce Recipe. This sauce is a beautiful medley of hearty ground beef, flavorful pork sausage, fresh vegetables, and a splash of red wine that transforms into a luscious, velvety sauce after a loving, long simmer. It’s perfect for cozy dinners or impressing friends with a dish that tastes like it’s been slow-cooked in a trattoria kitchen. Once you get the hang of this recipe, you’ll find it’s a versatile staple that fills your home with irresistible aromas and makes every pasta night extra special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Homemade Bolognese Sauce Recipe lies in its simple yet powerful ingredients. Each one plays a key role, whether it’s building depth of flavor, adding texture, or balancing acidity to create a perfect sauce you’ll want to spoon over everything.
- 1 lb ground beef (80% lean): Provides a hearty, meaty foundation that’s juicy but not too fatty.
- 1/2 lb pork sausage: Adds depth and a hint of spice to elevate the meatiness.
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped: Brings natural sweetness and flavor complexity.
- 1 medium carrot, grated: Introduces subtle sweetness and vibrant color.
- 1 stalk celery, finely diced: Adds a gentle, aromatic crunch that balances richness.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced: Infuses the sauce with its signature warm, punchy aroma.
- 28 oz canned whole or crushed tomatoes: The heart of the sauce, rich in umami and acidity.
- 1/2 cup red wine: Enhances flavor complexity and helps deglaze the pan for maximum taste.
- 1/2 cup milk or cream: Softens acidity and adds a silky texture at the end.
- 2 tsp dried oregano: For a fragrant, herbal note that complements the meat.
- 2 tsp dried basil: Lends a sweet and peppery dimension.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Essential seasonings to elevate every other flavor.
- 2 tbsp olive oil: Your cooking base that helps meld the ingredients into a supremely tasty sauce.
How to Make Homemade Bolognese Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Base
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large pot, then add your finely chopped onions, grated carrots, and diced celery. Sauté these aromatics gently for about 5 to 7 minutes until they soften and sweeten, building the flavorful backbone of your sauce.
Step 2: Brown the Meat
Turn the heat up slightly and add your ground beef and pork sausage to the pot. Break the meat into smaller pieces as it cooks, ensuring it browns evenly. Browning is important because it creates those irresistible caramelized bits that deeply enhance the sauce.
Step 3: Add Garlic and Tomatoes
Once the meat is nicely browned, toss in the minced garlic and sauté just until fragrant—watch it closely so it doesn’t burn. Then, pour in the canned tomatoes with all their juices, starting to build the hearty sauce base.
Step 4: Deglaze and Simmer
Pour half a cup of red wine into the pot and use a wooden spoon to scrape up every flavorful bit stuck to the bottom. This step is what layers the taste with complexity. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let everything gently simmer for 45 minutes to an hour—a slow, patient cook that melds all the flavors beautifully.
Step 5: Finish with Milk and Seasonings
About 10 minutes before you’re ready to serve, stir in the milk or cream. This step mellows acidity and gives the sauce a silky, rich texture. Finally, season with salt, pepper, oregano, and basil, adjusting flavors to your liking for that perfect finish.
How to Serve Homemade Bolognese Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese is the simplest and most delightful garnish to add an extra savory kick. Fresh basil leaves or a pinch of red pepper flakes can also liven up the presentation and flavor profile.
Side Dishes
This sauce pairs beautifully with a wide variety of pastas, from traditional tagliatelle to sturdy rigatoni. Beyond pasta, try serving it over creamy polenta or alongside a fresh green salad dressed with tangy vinaigrette to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, spoon the sauce into baked pasta shells or layer it in a lasagna with béchamel and cheese. You can also cool it and use it as a filling for stuffed vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for a colorful, nutritious meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Homemade Bolognese Sauce Recipe keeps wonderfully in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness and robust flavor, making it easy to enjoy leftovers without any loss in taste.
Freezing
If you want to prepare this sauce ahead of time or save portions for busy days, freezing is a great option. Cool the sauce completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months without compromising quality.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of water or broth if the sauce seems too thick. Reheating slowly helps retain its rich texture and balanced flavor.
FAQs
Can I use only one type of meat for this recipe?
Absolutely! While the combination of ground beef and pork sausage creates extra flavor, you can use just beef or just pork if that’s what you have on hand. The sauce will still be delicious.
Is it necessary to add wine to the sauce?
Wine adds wonderful depth and helps deglaze the pan, but if you prefer to avoid alcohol, you can substitute with beef broth or simply skip it. Just keep in mind you might miss some of that rich complexity.
Can I make this sauce vegetarian?
This recipe is traditionally meaty, but you can make a vegetarian version by swapping the meats with lentils or finely chopped mushrooms and using vegetable broth instead of wine. It’s a different but still satisfying take!
How long can I simmer the sauce?
The longer, the better! The recipe calls for 45 minutes to an hour, but if you have time, simmer it gently for up to two hours. This allows the flavors to deepen even more for a truly luscious sauce.
What pasta is best for Bolognese?
Traditional choices are wide, flat noodles like tagliatelle or pappardelle, which hold the thick sauce beautifully. However, robust shapes like rigatoni or bucatini also work well and help scoop up every meaty bite.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Homemade Bolognese Sauce Recipe enough. It’s one of those dishes that fills your kitchen with warmth and your heart with satisfaction. Whether you’re cooking for your family or hosting friends, this sauce is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s both comforting and sophisticated. Roll up your sleeves and give it a go—you’re going to love every spoonful!
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Homemade Bolognese Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Homemade Bolognese Sauce is a rich and hearty Italian meat sauce made from a blend of ground beef and pork sausage, slowly simmered with aromatic vegetables, garlic, tomatoes, red wine, and finished with a touch of milk or cream for a velvety texture. Perfect served over pasta, this classic sauce features deep, savory flavors developed through careful sautéing and slow simmering.
Ingredients
Meats
- 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
- 1/2 lb pork sausage
Vegetables
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot, grated
- 1 stalk celery, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids & Others
- 28 oz canned whole or crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1/2 cup milk or cream
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions, grated carrot, and diced celery. Cook these vegetables, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and fragrant, about 5 to 7 minutes. This step builds the flavor base of the sauce.
- Brown the Meat: Turn the heat slightly higher and add the ground beef and pork sausage to the pot. Cook until the meats are fully browned, breaking up any large chunks with a spoon. This process ensures even cooking and enhances the sauce’s depth of flavor.
- Add Garlic and Tomatoes: Stir in the minced garlic and sauté just until fragrant to avoid burning. Next, add the canned tomatoes along with their juices. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly in the pot.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping the bottom to lift up any flavorful browned bits. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot partially. Let the sauce simmer gently for 45 minutes to 1 hour, allowing flavors to meld and thicken beautifully.
- Finish with Milk and Seasonings: About 10 minutes before the sauce is done, stir in the milk or cream to add richness and smoothness. Season with salt, pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil to taste. Let the sauce simmer for a few more minutes to incorporate the seasonings before serving.
Notes
- Using a mix of ground beef and pork sausage adds complexity and richness to the sauce.
- Simmering the sauce slowly allows the flavors to develop deeply and the sauce to thicken.
- Adding milk or cream at the end softens acidity and adds a silky finish to the sauce.
- Red wine can be omitted for a non-alcoholic version; substitute with beef broth.
- Serve the bolognese sauce traditionally over tagliatelle or your favorite pasta.
