Description
This rich and authentic Italian Bolognese Sauce is slow-simmered to perfection with ground beef, vegetables, crushed tomatoes, and a splash of milk. It’s the ultimate comfort sauce for pasta nights!
Ingredients
▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
▢ 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
▢ 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
▢ 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
▢ 1 pound ground beef
▢ 2 tablespoons tomato paste
▢ 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
▢ 1 cup chicken broth
▢ 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
▢ 1/2 cup whole milk
▢ 1 teaspoon salt
▢ 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
▢ 1 bay leaf
Instructions
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened.
3. Add ground beef and cook for 8–10 minutes, breaking it up as it browns.
4. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
5. Pour in crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, balsamic vinegar, and milk.
6. Add salt, pepper, oregano, and bay leaf. Stir well.
7. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for at least 2 hours, up to 4 hours for deeper flavor. Stir occasionally.
8. Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot over pasta.
Notes
• This sauce gets better the longer it simmers—don’t rush it!
• Make ahead and freeze in portions for easy pasta nights.
• Try it with tagliatelle, rigatoni, or even zucchini noodles for a lighter option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: bolognese sauce, authentic italian meat sauce, slow cooked bolognese, pasta sauce