Bolognese Sauce Traditional Italian Meat Based Sauce for Pasta

Experience the rich, authentic flavors of Italy with this Traditional Bolognese Sauce, a slow-simmered, meat-based sauce that's perfect for pairing with pasta. Crafted with a medley of finely diced onion, carrot, and celery, this recipe builds depth with a harmonious blend of ground beef and pork, dry white wine, whole milk, and luscious tomatoes. A pinch of freshly grated nutmeg adds a subtle warmth, while the low-and-slow cooking method ensures a velvety, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Perfect for serving over tagliatelle or pappardelle or layered into a hearty lasagna, this iconic Italian dish transforms humble ingredients into a timeless culinary masterpiece. Indulge in the comforting flavors of homemade Italian cooking with this traditional Bolognese sauce, finished with a sprinkling of Parmigiano-Reggiano for a truly authentic touch.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:195 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 medium carrot, finely diced
• 1 medium celery stalk, finely diced
• 300 grams ground beef (80% lean)
• 300 grams ground pork
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 pinch nutmeg, freshly grated
• 800 grams canned whole peeled tomatoes with their juice
• 1 to taste salt
• 1 to taste ground black pepper
• 0.5 cup water or beef stock (optional, for adjusting consistency)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely diced onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté gently for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables are soft and translucent, but not browned.

Step 3

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef and pork to the pot. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook until it is lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4

Pour in the white wine and stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Allow the wine to simmer until it has mostly evaporated, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the milk along with the pinch of nutmeg. Stir until the milk is fully incorporated, and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes.

Step 6

Crush the canned tomatoes with your hands or a fork, then add them (along with their juice) to the pot. Stir to combine with the meat and vegetables.

Step 7

Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Lower the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pot partially with a lid, and let the sauce simmer gently for 2.5 to 3 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking, and add a splash of water or beef stock if the sauce becomes too thick.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper, if needed.

Step 9

Serve the Bolognese sauce hot over your favorite pasta (traditionally tagliatelle or pappardelle), or use it as a filling for lasagna. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2517.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2789.2

Total Fat 185.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 70.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.9g
Cholesterol 568.4mg	0%
Sodium 4057.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 91.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.7g	0%
Total Sugars 58.4g
Protein 146.9g	0%

Vitamin D 125.9IU	0%
Calcium 735.6mg	0%
Iron 15.7mg	0%
Potassium 3599.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 63.7%

Protein: 22.4%

Carbs: 14.0%