The Best Bolognese Sauce Recipe

G. Stephen Jones • July 23, 2012 • 1 Comment

Bolognese Sauce

A Great Sauce, Especially in the Winter

This is one of my favorite pasta meals. It’s easy and you can play around with it by adding different ingredients. Once made it’s like money in the bank…. eat it the same night or deposit it in the freezer and when withdrawn, the taste pays off dividends.

Sometimes when I know I won’t be around all day (like when I am skiing in a foot of fresh powder) I make it in a crock pot and let it cook all day. When you walk in the door and the smell hits you, Wow!

It’s usually made with beef, but I like to mix beef and veal or beef and lamb to give it a real “peasant” taste. Let me know what you think. RG

Reluctant Gourmet’s Tips

Try using all chopped veal or lamb for a stronger flavor.

Never cook with a wine you wouldn’t drink.

Puree the tomatoes right in their can with a hand blender.

Check out my tips on sauté and deglazing.

Try using carrots instead of sugar to sweeten your sauces.

Bolognese Sauce Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours

Yield: 6-8 servings

Bolognese Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef

1 lb. ground veal or lamb

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

1 large onion, chopped

4 - 6 cloves of garlic....depending on your love for garlic and how much your family can stand

1/4 cup red wine

2 carrots, peeled and sliced

1-16 oz. can whole tomatoes with/ juice

salt & pepper - to taste

1 pound penne pasta

Parmesan cheese - for grating on top

How To Prepare At Home

In a large sauce pot, brown the chopped beef and (veal or lamb), drain fat and reserve meat for later.

In the same pot, sauté onion and garlic in the olive oil & butter until the onions are translucent.

Deglaze the pan with wine and reduce by half.

Puree the whole tomatoes and add them to the pot along with the sliced carrots and reserved meat.

Simmer for about 1 1/2 hours. (If the sauce become too dry add a little water or chicken stock)

Salt and Pepper to taste.

In a big pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta al dente.

Serve sauce over pasta with grated cheese.

Of course you'll want to have plenty of French or Italian bread to sop up any leftover sauce and be sure to enjoy a great bottle of red wine with this meal.