Whole30 Classic Bolognese Meat Sauce

Rich, hearty, and brimming with robust flavors, this Whole30 Classic Bolognese Meat Sauce is a wholesome twist on a comforting Italian favorite. Made with a delicious blend of ground beef and pork, fresh aromatics, and Whole30-compliant ingredients, this slow-simmered sauce is packed with depth and nutrition. Loaded with finely chopped vegetables like onion, carrot, and celery, and seasoned with fragrant oregano and basil, it marries beautifully with crushed tomatoes and a splash of beef broth for a luscious, thick consistency. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this versatile sauce pairs wonderfully with zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or your favorite veggie-based pasta alternative. With just 15 minutes of prep time and an hour of simmering, this dairy-free, gluten-free sauce is an easy, flavorful way to stay on track with your Whole30 goals while savoring a classic dish with a healthy twist.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery stalks, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 leaf bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup beef broth (or water if no compliant broth is available)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened, stirring occasionally.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef and pork to the pot. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and no visible pink remains, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 5

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

Step 6

Pour in the beef broth or water and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If the sauce appears too thick, add more broth or water as needed.

Step 8

Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste if necessary.

Step 9

Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Step 10

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired.

Step 11

Serve the Bolognese sauce over your choice of compatible noodles or vegetables such as zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2357.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2981.5

Total Fat 205.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 71.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 709.3mg	0%
Sodium 4960.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 85.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.7g	0%
Total Sugars 49.7g
Protein 209.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 542.1mg	0%
Iron 21.6mg	0%
Potassium 5080.6mg	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: 61.1%

Protein: 27.7%

Carbs: 11.2%