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This is the BEST bolognese sauce recipe, and even better, it’s so easy to make. Meaty, savory, and full of depth and richness, this one’s a keeper!
Easy Bolognese Sauce
Bolognese sauce is a ground beef ragú made with pancetta, onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes, wine, and cream. My easy version has been lightened up, but don’t worry—it retains all the richness of the original! It’s perfect to make for guests when you need a dish to impress, but it’s also easy enough to make anytime.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for batch cooking. This bolognese sauce recipe is a staple in my home; I make a big batch on the weekend and use it for dinners during the hectic work week. Like my Instant Pot bolognese sauce and crock pot bolognese sauce, it also freezes well.
- Leftovers get better and better. There are some dishes that never taste quite as good as the day they’re made, but bolognese sauce gets even more delicious after a day or two in the fridge.
- So many ways to use it. This recipe is always on rotation in my house for making spaghetti bolognese or topping over spaghetti squash or zoodles. I share some more ideas for using bolognese sauce below.
What You’ll Need
Simple ingredients come together to create big flavor in bolognese sauce. Scroll down to the recipe card below for exact measurements.
- Pancetta – Or use center cut bacon.
- Butter – Butter is the secret ingredient in many tomato sauce recipes and also this bolognese sauce.
- Mirepoix – Onion, celery, and carrots form a base of flavor.
- Ground beef – I use 95% lean.
- White wine – Use a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
- Crushed tomatoes – I love Tuttorosso.
- Seasonings – Salt and pepper, along with a bay leaf and parsley.
- Half & half – This adds richness without the calories of heavy cream.
What Is Pancetta?
Pancetta is an Italian cured meat made from pork belly; it’s similar to bacon, but without the smoky flavor. It adds a rich, savory depth to many Italian dishes, including this bolognese sauce recipe.
How to Make Bolognese Sauce
Here’s a quick overview of the steps involved in making this sauce. See the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Cook the pancetta. Sauté in a deep, heavy pan until the fat renders.
- Add the vegetables. Stir in the butter and veggies. Cook on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, or until they’re softened.
- Brown the ground beef. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the meat, season with salt and pepper, and cook until it’s browned.
- Pour in the wine. Cook until it reduces, about 3-4 minutes.
- Simmer. Add the tomatoes and bay leaf, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Finish. Stir in the half & half and parsley; cook until heated through.
Tips and Variations
- Deglaze the pan. When you add the wine, use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. These will make your bolognese sauce even more flavorful.
- Switch up the meat. Feel free to use ground turkey or a mix of beef and pork for a different spin on this recipe.
- Adjust the consistency. If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer for a bit longer to allow more of the liquid to evaporate.
- Make it meatless. For a vegetarian bolognese, omit the pancetta and add an extra tablespoon of butter. Swap the ground beef with your favorite plant-based ground meat. (Or make this lentil bolognese.)
Ways to Use Bolognese Sauce
- Pasta. The classic! Serve bolognese over your favorite pasta.
- Spaghetti squash. This healthier alternative to pasta is a great way to enjoy bolognese sauce if you’re watching your carb intake. Here’s how to make roasted spaghetti squash.
- Zoodles. Spiralized zucchini noodles are another low-carb option for enjoying bolognese sauce.
- Lasagna. Use the bolognese sauce in your favorite lasagna recipe.
- Polenta. Spoon bolognese sauce over creamy polenta for a rustic, hearty meal.
- Meal Bowls. I also like to make Italian-inspired meal bowls with bolognese, cauliflower rice, and roasted broccoli with smashed garlic.
Proper Storage
- Fridge. Once cooked, you can store bolognese sauce in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
- Freeze. You can freeze bolognese in an airtight container or heavy duty freezer safe bag for up to 6 months
- Reheat. To reheat, let the sauce thaw overnight in the refrigerator then reheat in a pot on the stovetop.
More Pasta Recipes
Bolognese Sauce
This is the BEST bolognese sauce recipe and it’s so easy to make. Meaty, savory, and full of depth and richness, this one’s a keeper.
Yield: servings
Serving Size: 1 /2 cup
Ingredients
- 4 oz pancetta, chopped (or center cut bacon)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup celery, minced
- 1/2 cup carrots, minced
- 1 lb 95% lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 2 – 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes, I love Tuttorosso
- 1 bay leaf
- salt and fresh pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup half & half
Instructions
- In a deep heavy saute pan, sauté pancetta until fat melts.
- Add butter, onions, celery and carrots and cook on medium-low heat until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Increase flame to medium-high, add meat, season with salt and pepper and sauté until browned.
- Add wine, cook until it reduces down, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add tomatoes and bay leaf. Simmer covered on low, at least 1-1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Add half & half and parsley, cook 2 minutes longer.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Nutrition
Serving: 1 /2 cup, Calories: 120 kcal, Carbohydrates: 8 g, Protein: 7.5 g, Fat: 5 g, Saturated Fat: 3 g, Cholesterol: 77.5 mg, Sodium: 335 mg, Fiber: 0.3 g, Sugar: 4 g
