Easy Bolognese Sauce Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

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Bolognese is a homemade Italian sauce your family will love. This easy recipe doesn’t take long, but it will taste like it’s been simmering all day! Ground beef and Italian sausage come together in this wonderfully rich and flavorful tomato sauce.

This is sort of the quick and easy of my authentic beef ragu recipe that needs to simmer for hours.

Easy Bolognese Sauce Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why this recipe works:
  • Ingredients needed:
  • How to make this recipe:
  • What to serve with this recipe:
  • Storing and reheating:
  • Other great Italian inspired dinner recipes:
  • Bolognese Recipe

Why this recipe works:

If I were to tell you that we had spaghetti and meat sauce once a week, I wouldn’t be lying.

To me, a homemade Bolognese sauce is one of the tastiest things I make for dinner. More times than not, I’ll cheat and just use jarred marinara sauce that I pick up at the store. But on those days when I either run out or want a really good homemade spaghetti sauce, this is the recipe I use.

  • This recipe really just tastes like a super flavorful thick tomato based marinara sauce with meat.
  • Some recipes only use ground beef or sausage, not both. I prefer to use both because it gives the best flavor.
  • This is a thick sauce that really sticks to the pasta. I will cook my sauce long enough to let enough of the moisture evaporate such that when I scrape the pan, the spoon leaves a trail.

Ingredients needed:

I make my sauce with the following ingredients, but you can tweak based on your preferences. This is a very forgiving recipe, so play around with it!

  • Equal portions of ground beef and spicy Italian sausage. I try to cook with grass fed ground beef whenever possible and I like to get the spicy sausage in bulk from the meat counter.
  • Red pepper flakes for a little kick and salt. Start low with the salt because you can always add more. The sausage you’re using might already be really salty.
  • Extra virgin olive oil – invest in a good one.
  • Onion, garlic, celery and carrot. I like all of my veggies to be diced or even grated for this sauce.
  • Crushed tomatoes. I use canned unless I have ripe paste tomatoes from the garden.
  • Fresh parsley and basil. I can never get enough basil.

How to make this recipe:

  1. Using a super large skillet (cast iron is my favorite), you’re going to brown the meat with the red pepper flakes and salt over medium high heat. I use a wooden spoon to chop it up while it’s cooking so that it’s nice and crumbly. I also try not to stir it too often so that it has a chance to brown. You’ll then transfer it to a plate temporarily.
  2. Using the same pan with all that wonderful flavor, you’ll saute the onion first followed by the garlic, celery and carrot in the olive oil.
  3. You’ll add the meat back to the pan along with the remaining ingredients. Give it a good stir to combine and then continue to cook over medium low heat until the sauce thickens. This should only take about a half hour or so. Plenty of time for you to make the pasta, toss the salad, and enjoy your first glass of wine!
Easy Bolognese Sauce Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2)

What to serve with this recipe:

Whenever I make this recipe I always serve it with some kind of pasta, ravioli, or lasagna.

You can make your meal even healthier by swapping out the pasta for zoodles or spaghetti squash.

I almost always make a nice ceasar salad and garlic bread to serve with Bolognese too.

Storing and reheating:

If you plan on eating your leftovers within the next few days, store this recipe in an air tight container in the refrigerator. If refrigerated, I would try to eat within 3-5 days at the most. Trust your nose and don’t eat it if it smells off.

For longer term storage, you can either store in a plastic container or resealable plastic storage bag and freeze. Just be sure to allow the sauce to fully cool before you freeze it and to eliminate as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn.

It will last for months in the freezer, especially if there is no air in your container.

Reheating this sauce is super easy.

  • If frozen, it’s best to allow it to thaw in the refrigerator before cooking. I usually don’t plan out my dinners that far ahead, so I’ve been known to throw the frozen sauce right in the pan and heat on low until it’s heated through.
  • I don’t often like to reheat leftover Bolognese (or anything with meat) in the microwave. You can, but I much prefer using a pot on the stove top.
  • If you’re worried about your sauce getting to thick, just cover it with a lid while you reheat it. You can always add store bought marinara sauce to your leftover Bolognese if you need more too.
Easy Bolognese Sauce Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (3)

This is one of my favorite recipes to make for dinner along with someRatatouille, homemade pasta or cheese ravioli. YUM!

Other great Italian inspired dinner recipes:

  • Homemade Pasta
  • Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Shrimp Pasta
  • Ham and Pea Pasta Carbonara
  • Cheesy Baked Rigatoni Pasta
  • Dozen Veggie Pasta Primavera
  • Cheesy Sausage Pasta Bake
  • Homemade Alfredo Sauce
  • Fettuccine Alfredo
  • Classic Homemade Lasagna
  • Butternut Squash Lasagna
  • Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
  • Baked Italian Meatballs
  • Italian Wedding Soup
  • Loaded Grilled Italian Sandwich
  • Easy Italian Stromboli
  • Four Cheese Ravioli
  • Meat and Cheese Ravioli
  • Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage Sauce

Bolognese

Prep20 minutes mins

Cook40 minutes mins

Total1 hour hr

Servings 6 servings

Author Krissy Allori

Easy Bolognese Sauce Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (4)

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Bolognese is a homemade Italian sauce your family will love. This easy recipe doesn't take long, but it will taste like it's been simmering all day!

Video

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound spicy Italian sausage easiest to buy in bulk (not links) from meat counter
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 stalk celery diced
  • 1 carrot grated
  • 28-ounce (one large can) crushed tomatoes canned
  • 1/4 cup flat-leaf Italian parsley chopped
  • 8 fresh basil leaves chopped

Instructions

  • In a large skillet over medium high heat, cook the ground beef, sausage, red pepper flakes, and salt until brown and crumbly. Transfer to a plate.

  • In the same pan, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. When the oil is hot, add the onion and saute until the onions become very soft, about 8-10 minutes. Add the garlic, celery and carrot and saute for 5 minutes.

  • Add cooked meat back to the pan and stir well to combine.

  • Add the tomatoes, parsley and basil, cover, and cook over medium low heat until the sauce thickens, at least 30 minutes but longer is better. Serve Bolognese with pasta and freshly grated Pecorino Romano.

    Easy Bolognese Sauce Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (5)

Notes

Notes: Sauce is even better the next day. If you’re prepared, make it a day in advance instead!

Nutrition

Calories: 285kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 55mg, Sodium: 517mg, Potassium: 296mg, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 1860IU, Vitamin C: 4.2mg, Calcium: 30mg, Iron: 1.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave me acomment below

Beef Dinner Italian Recipes Pork

Easy Bolognese Sauce Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (6)

Hi! I’m Krissy.

I love to create the BEST versions of your favorite recipes. If you love to cook, love to eat, or just have a deep appreciation for good food, you're in the right place! Stick around... I have hundreds of recipes for you to make.

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Easy Bolognese Sauce Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to my Bolognese sauce to make it taste better? ›

6 Things That'll Make Your Spaghetti Bolognese Taste SO Much...
  1. Milk. Adding milk to Bolognese is actually a part of the traditional method. ...
  2. Sundried Tomatoes. I can't get enough of sundried toms, and I have been known to sneak a few straight from the jar (boujee snack alert). ...
  3. Anchovies. ...
  4. Wine. ...
  5. Porcini mushrooms. ...
  6. Sugar.
Nov 20, 2019

How do you deepen the flavor of Bolognese sauce? ›

The best tip for intensifying the flavour of your sauce is just to cook it slowly on a low heat for a long time. This reduces the sauce and intensifies the flavours – four hours is not uncommon for my bolognese.

What are the ingredients in traditional Bolognese sauce? ›

Ingredients
  • 2 pounds ground beef.
  • 2 pounds ground pork.
  • 2 cups dry white wine.
  • 6 ounces bacon or pancetta.
  • 1/3 cup garlic cloves (about 6 fat cloves)
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil.
  • 2 medium onions, minced in a food processor or finely chopped.
  • 2 large celery stalks, minced in a food processor or finely chopped.

How to make Bolognese sauce Gordon Ramsay? ›

Recipe For Gordon Ramsay's Spaghetti Bolognese
  1. Meat. • 1/2 lb Ground beef.
  2. Produce. • 1 Carrot. • 2 cloves Garlic. • 1 Onion. ...
  3. Canned Goods. • 2 tbsp Tomato puree.
  4. Baking & Spices. • 1 tsp Black pepper. • 1 tsp Salt.
  5. Oils & Vinegars. • 2 tbsp Oil.
  6. Dairy. • 1/2 cup Whole milk.
  7. Beer, Wine & Liquor. • 2 tbsp Red wine.

How do you fix a tasteless bolognese? ›

🌿 Spice it Up: Enhance flavor by adding herbs and spices like garlic, basil, oregano, or red pepper flakes.

What makes bolognese taste like bolognese? ›

As far as its taste, it will have a meaty heartiness from the browned meats, a sweet tang from the rich tomatoes, as well as an herbal kick from the various Italian spices used. If you've ever enjoyed a pasta dish with meat and tomato-based sauce, it was likely a variation of a bolognese recipe.

What is the missing ingredient in bolognese sauce? ›

If you are missing an umami note, it's possible you are missing a very common ingredient in bolognese - chicken livers. These give a meaty, almost sweet flavour. Soak them in water for a few minutes, then finely chop or pulse in a food processor. I use minced (ground) pork, beef and chicken livers.

Why do you put sugar in bolognese sauce? ›

The reason for sprinkling a pinch of sugar into a simmering saucepan of tomatoes is simple: sugar cuts the acidity of the tomatoes and creates an overall more balanced sauce. The exact acid levels in tomatoes can vary quite a bit depending on whether they're fresh or canned, the tomato variety, and the time of year.

How do you pimp bolognese? ›

Sneak More Veggies In

Bolognese is a great disguise for whatever you have on hand – think grated fresh beetroot (yes!), finely chopped mushrooms, eggplant, leek, finely diced capsicum, grated pumpkin or sweet potato. Even finely chopped spinach can be added.

Do Italians put sugar in Bolognese sauce? ›

No, we put sugar in sweets, not in savory dishes. If you happened to buy tomatoes that are acidic you may try to correct that with a pinch of sugar or, better, with some milk. But acidic tomatoes are not common nowadays.

What is the difference between Italian bolognese and American bolognese? ›

The American bolognese is essentially a southern-Italy style ragù with minced meat instead of meat in pieces, which means that it's very rich in tomato, and it has a too short cooking time. Besides, it tends to include a huge number of pointless ingredients and often the wine is used in the wrong way.

Do Italians add milk to bolognese? ›

However, there are as many recipe versions of this delicious slow-cooked sauce as there are cooks in the Italian city of Bologna. The secret ingredient to a true Bolognese Sauce is milk (or cream), which is added in such small amount, you don't even know it's there.

How to make mysterious Bolognese? ›

Mysterious Bolognese is a Special Dish that the player has a chance to obtain by cooking Flaming Red Bolognese with Lisa. The recipe for Flaming Red Bolognese is obtainable from Good Hunter for 2,500 Mora after reaching Adventure Rank 20.

Why add vinegar to bolognese? ›

And as an added bonus, both the plums and the vinegar have some great benefits for digestion, energy, and as an antibacterial boost. Umeboshi vinegar is a deep reddish purple. Perfect for adding both the depth of flavour and colour into our bolognese sauce!

Why use milk in Bolognese sauce? ›

Milk is a magical ingredient when it comes to bolognese. First, the lactic acid and calcium in milk help to tenderize the meat. More than that, though, milk balances the wine and tomato, creates a creamier texture and adds richness (similar to how butter or yogurt add more richness and flavor to dishes).

How do you elevate a jar of bolognese sauce? ›

Mix in Some Meat

Mixing meat into your jarred pasta sauce will do wonders for making it taste high-quality. Browning and adding some sausage, turkey, chicken or ground beef will increase your sauce's flavor, incorporate extra texture, infuse a heartier taste and up the protein content.

Should I add milk or butter to bolognese? ›

Did you know that classic bolognese should always be made with milk.

Why add cream to bolognese sauce? ›

Bolognese sauce, also known as ragù alla bolognese, is a classic Italian meat-based sauce that is typically made with milk or cream to add richness and depth of flavor. However, it is possible to make a delicious Bolognese sauce without using milk or cream.

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