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Easy Weeknight Bolognese Sauce: Rich and Hearty Italian Meat Sauce

Close-up of spaghetti topped generously with rich, dark bolognese sauce on a white plate.
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You can make this rich, hearty Bolognese sauce that tastes like it simmered all day, even on a busy weeknight. This classic Italian meat sauce recipe is simple to follow and perfect for family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 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 (optional, substitute with beef broth)
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup whole milk (optional, for richness)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften. This step builds flavor, so take your time here.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. If using red wine, pour it in and let it simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, until the wine has mostly evaporated, about 3 minutes.
  5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, oregano, basil, and bay leaf. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  6. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let it simmer for at least 45 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor. Stir every 15 minutes to prevent sticking.
  7. If you want an extra rich sauce, stir in the whole milk during the last 15 minutes of simmering. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve your homemade Bolognese sauce over your favorite pasta or use it in lasagna.

Notes

  • For a truly authentic taste, use a mix of ground beef and ground pork or veal.
  • If you are short on time, you can skip the wine and increase the beef broth by 1/2 cup.
  • This rich tomato meat sauce freezes very well. Cool completely, then store in airtight containers for up to three months.

Nutrition

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