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–+ servings

bolognese sauce

This classic Italian bolognese sauce is slow-cooked to perfection, blending ground beef, Italian sausage, pancetta, vegetables, and tomatoes for a hearty and flavorful meal. Perfect for pasta, lasagna, or pizza toppings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 0.5 medium onion (very finely diced)
  • 2 medium carrots (very finely diced)
  • 2 stalks celery (very finely diced)
  • 1.5 tablespoons minced garlic very finely diced
  • 4 ounces pancetta or bacon finely diced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound mild Italian sausage
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 0.125 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 28 ounces San Mariano crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • 1 leaf bay leaf
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 pound pasta (cooked)

Instructions
 

Preparation Steps

  • Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 5 minutes, then remove the vegetables from the pan.
  • Add the ground beef, Italian sausage, and pancetta to the pan and cook until the beef is no longer pink, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
  • Season the meat with salt, cracked black pepper, and freshly grated nutmeg, then stir in the cooked vegetables.
  • Pour in the white wine and simmer for 5 minutes over medium heat to reduce the liquid slightly.
  • Add the beef broth, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste to the pan, stirring to combine everything evenly.
  • Add the sprig of fresh thyme and the bay leaf, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the whole milk and let it simmer gently for the remaining cooking time.
  • Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, then toss with the bolognese sauce and serve immediately.

Notes

This sauce is best enjoyed after simmering slowly to develop deep flavors. Leftovers taste even better the next day and can be frozen for future meals.

Nutrition

Serving: 200gCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 120gProtein: 120gFat: 120gSaturated Fat: 120gPolyunsaturated Fat: 120gMonounsaturated Fat: 120gTrans Fat: 120gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 120gSugar: 120gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 120mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 120mg
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