Easy Bolognese Sauce
Learn how to make authentic homemade Bolognese sauce with lean meat, fresh vegetables, and simple ingredients. Perfect for weeknight pasta dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 medium carrots, finely diced
- 3 stalks celery, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 4 oz ground pancetta or bacon, optional
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 2 cans (28 oz each) crushed San Marzano tomatoes
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tbsp grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Instructions
- 1
Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1 minute.
- 2
Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery to the hot oil and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and become translucent, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- 3
Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to let it brown.
- 4
Increase heat to medium-high and add the ground beef and pancetta if using, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks until no pink remains and the meat is well browned, roughly 8-10 minutes.
- 5
Pour in the red wine and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot, then let the liquid reduce by half over 3-4 minutes.
- 6
Add the tomato paste and stir vigorously to coat the meat and vegetables, cooking for about 2 minutes to deepen its flavor.
- 7
Pour in the crushed tomatoes with their juices along with the dried Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and bay leaf.
- 8
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently, partially covered, for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 9
Slowly stream in the whole milk while stirring constantly, which will slightly lighten the sauce and add richness, then continue simmering for another 15-20 minutes.
- 10
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed with additional salt, pepper, or herbs.
- 11
Remove from heat and discard the bay leaf, then stir in the fresh basil.
- 12
Serve the Bolognese sauce generously over your favorite pasta, topped with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and extra basil if desired.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ground beef | Ground turkey or ground chicken breast | Poultry is leaner than beef, reducing saturated fat and overall calories while maintaining protein content and savory depth. |
| Whole milk | Unsweetened oat milk or low-fat Greek yogurt added at the end | These alternatives reduce saturated fat and lactose while adding creaminess; oat milk has no cholesterol impact, and Greek yogurt adds probiotics for gut health. |
| Red wine | Low-sodium vegetable or beef broth mixed with 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar | This substitution reduces alcohol content and sodium while maintaining the acidity and depth needed to balance sweetness from tomatoes. |
| Pancetta or bacon | Smoked paprika and a splash of liquid smoke | These seasonings deliver the smoky, savory notes without added saturated fat, processed nitrates, or extra sodium. |
| Canned crushed tomatoes | Fresh tomato puree (4-5 lbs fresh tomatoes, blended and strained) or no-salt-added canned varieties | Fresh or low-sodium tomatoes dramatically reduce sodium intake and increase lycopene bioavailability, supporting inflammation reduction. |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 420 |
| Total Fat | 16g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Cholesterol | 45mg |
| Sodium | 520mg |
| Carbohydrates | 28g |
| Fiber | 6g |
| Sugar | 8g |
| Protein | 35g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
