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Classic Slow-Simmered Bolognese Sauce

A wooden spoon dripping rich, thick bolognese sauce over a bed of spaghetti noodles in a dark pan.
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Make this rich, authentic Italian beef Bolognese sauce. It is simple to prepare and slow-simmered for deep flavor, perfect for pasta or lasagna.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
  2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 8 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the red wine and let it simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, until the wine reduces by half.
  5. Add the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, milk, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
  6. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let the sauce cook slowly for at least 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. For deeper flavor, simmer up to 3 hours.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving over your favorite pasta.

Notes

  • For a weeknight version, simmer for a minimum of 45 minutes after adding liquids.
  • This sauce freezes well. Cool completely before transferring to airtight containers.
  • Use a mix of ground beef and ground pork for a more traditional flavor profile.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishsymphony.com/bolognese-sauce-classic-slow-simmered-recipe/