Mediterranean Diet Classic Beef Bolognese Sauce

Transform your pasta nights with this rich and flavorful Mediterranean Diet Classic Beef Bolognese Sauce. Crafted with lean ground beef, aromatic vegetables, and a splash of red wine, this hearty sauce embraces the wholesome principles of the Mediterranean diet by substituting heavy creams with premium extra virgin olive oil and nutrient-packed ingredients like carrots and celery. Slowly simmered with crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and fragrant herbs, this sauce develops a mouthwatering depth of flavor in just 90 minutes. Perfectly balanced and naturally low in sodium, it's an ideal pairing for your favorite pasta or zucchini noodles. A garnish of fresh parsley adds the perfect finishing touch to this Mediterranean-inspired comfort food classic.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large, chopped yellow onion
• 2 medium, chopped carrots
• 2 chopped celery stalk
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 500 grams lean ground beef
• 1 cup red wine
• 800 grams canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery and sauté until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the lean ground beef to the pot, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until browned all over, about 5-10 minutes.

Step 5

Pour in the red wine, scraping down the bottom of the pot to deglaze and release any browned bits, and let it simmer for about 5 minutes until the wine is reduced by half.

Step 6

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, bay leaf, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce simmer gently, uncovered, for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors meld.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaf and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper to taste, if necessary.

Step 9

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2227.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1592.9

Total Fat 67.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 19.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 309.8mg	0%
Sodium 4031.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 94.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.5g	0%
Total Sugars 52.6g
Protein 120.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 405.2mg	0%
Iron 23.3mg	0%
Potassium 4384.7mg	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: 41.2%

Protein: 33.0%

Carbs: 25.8%