Description
Enjoy this rich, slow-simmered Beef Bolognese Sauce created by Liam, inspired by Sara’s joyful approach to cooking. This recipe balances classic depth with the warmth of shared moments in the kitchen. Make it slow for authenticity or adapt it for a faster weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 suggested)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional, for deep flavor)
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add ground beef. Cook, breaking it apart, until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add onion, carrot, and celery to the pot. Cook until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the red wine, if using. Let it simmer and reduce by half, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, milk, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer the sauce, partially covered, for at least 1.5 hours, or up to 3 hours, stirring occasionally for the deepest flavor. For a weeknight version, simmer for 45 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf before serving. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Serve hot over your favorite pasta, garnished with fresh herbs.
Notes
- For an authentic taste, use a mix of ground beef and ground pork or veal.
- The milk addition helps tenderize the meat and balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
- This sauce freezes exceptionally well; make a large batch for future meals.
- If you skip the wine, use a splash of balsamic vinegar near the end for brightness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg