This Easy Bolognese Recipe is easy to make and so delicious. You’ll love the rich, beefy flavor of this classic sauce. Plus, it’s all cooked in one pot, so it’s super easy to clean up. Who doesn’t love that? Serve this sauce over your favorite pasta for a hearty meal that everyone will love.
One-pot meals are the best. Everything all cooked in one pot? Yes, please! This One-Pot Bolognese is sure to be a hit with your family. It’s easy to make and it’s oh so delicious. You’re going to love it!
This really is the perfect sauce for all your pasta dishes. No need to buy the pre-made stuff anymore.
PIN NOW TO SAVE FOR LATER
Warm, comforting, and hearty, this one-pot Bolognese is perfect for a cozy winter dinner. Or, really any time of year. It’s easy to make, and so incredibly tasty. I love that it’s made in one pot and you can truly taste the LOVE simmered right in.
It pairs perfectly with pasta and is great when used in a chicken parmesan recipe. I can’t get enough of this sauce!
Bolognese Recipe
Here are some commonly asked questions
What is Bolognese?
Bolognese is a popular recipe for Italian meat sauce basically. The dish is made with onions, garlic, tomatoes, celery, carrots, beef stock, wine, black pepper flakes (or crushed red pepper), and ground meat. The ingredients are simmered together until the meat is cooked through.
What are some tips for making the perfect Bolognese?
The key to a great Bolognese is using high-quality ingredients that have been cooked slowly and carefully. You also need to season it to taste, which allows you to customize the flavor profile depending on your preferences.
Some other tips for making the perfect Bolognese include adding reducing or eliminating garlic if you’re sensitive to its odor or flavor, and simmering until thickened before serving. Whichever adaptation you choose, be sure not to overcook it or it will turn into a watery sauce instead of a savory one.
Bolognese Sauce
Ingredients for One-Pot Bolognese
- onion – chopped
- celery stalks – chopped
- carrot – chopped (do not peel the carrot)
- olive oil
- tomato paste
- garlic cloves – minced
- ground beef – 85% lean
- red wine
- thyme
- pepper
- oregano
- crushed tomatoes
- granulated sugar
- bay leaf
- salt
- Optional garnishes: parmesan cheese freshly chopped oregano
How do you store leftover Bolognese?
You can store leftover Bolognese in the fridge for up to four days. You can also freeze it for up to two months.
Can you freeze Bolognese?
Yes – this recipe freezes well. Just make sure to place it in a freezer-safe container, label it with the date and store it for up to 2 months. When you are ready to serve it again, you can thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
How to Make One-Pot Bolognese
- Saute the onion, celery, and carrot with the olive oil for 6 minutes in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the tomato paste and garlic to the pot. Mix and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add beef to the pot. Mix and cook for 8 minutes or until fully browned
- Add the wine, thyme, pepper, and oregano, to the pot. Mix and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes, sugar, bay leaf, and salt, to the pot. Cover and simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, for approximately 60 minutes.
How do you know when the Bolognese is done?
This recipe requires that you cook the sauce until it reaches a deep red color and has a subtle tang to it. This means that the sauce has cooked all the way through and is ready to serve.
What do you serve with Bolognese?
You can serve Bolognese with a variety of dishes. Some popular choices include pasta, rice, potatoes, and even pizza.
What are some variations of Bolognese?
Different people have different preferences for the type of sauce they prefer in their bolognese dish.
Some people prefer a more traditional bolognese with beef stock and onions; others may enjoy a lighter version with less meat and more vegetables. There are also variations that use different types of pasta such as spaghetti or tagliatelle.
What is the history of Bolognese?
The history of Bolognese can be traced back to the 16th century in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. At this time, there were two main styles of cooking – Northern Italian cuisine which was heavy on meat sauces, and Southern Italian cuisine which focused on vegetables and fish.
Bolognese evolved out of an improvisational dish known as bollito misto (mixed boiled beef). This dish contained various types of meat that had been boiled in water with some aromatics such as onion, garlic, carrots, celery seed etc. until they became soft. The mixture would then be served over pasta or rice.
Over time the recipe changed slightly to include ground beef instead of mincemeat and tomato paste replaced some of the watery ingredients. As this dish became popular throughout Italy it eventually acquired its own name – bollito misto or simply a bolognese sauce.
In modern times Bolognese can be made with a variety of meats, vegetables, and spices to create a sauce that is unique to each region.
What Pasta Goes Best With Bolognese?
Spaghetti is a popular choice for dinner when it comes to bolognese because it absorbs the flavors of the sauce very well. Macaroni and cheese is another great option because it has a creamy texture that pairs perfectly with the beefy flavor of the sauce.
Angel hair pasta also tastes great with bolognese because its thin strands soak up all the delicious flavors in the dish.
Why Our Easy Bolognese Recipe Works
Our easy Bolognese recipe works because it is made with simple ingredients and has a long (but not too long) cooking time. This combination results in a delicious and luxurious dish that will please even the most discerning of eaters.
The slower cooking process allows the flavors to meld together, while the beef helps to create a thick sauce. And since this recipe calls for only basic ingredient staples, you can easily make it any time you have some extra time on your hands.
So why not give our easy Bolognese recipe a try? You won’t be disappointed!
Pro Tips
- Can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- Can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- This can be placed in a crock pot and cooked on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Swap out the red wine with white wine.
- Make sure to store the leftover sauce in an airtight container.
- Use a wooden spoon when making this easy bolognese sauce as metal spoons and utensils can react with the tomato sauce.
- Try making this spaghetti bolognese using ground pork and some red pepper flakes.
- Stir in some heavy cream or whole milk to make this sauce ultra-creamy and give it a rich flavor.
- Try adding Worcestershire sauce to make it an extra flavorful sauce.
- Be sure to start with a large saucepan when making this easy spaghetti sauce recipe.
- This quick bolognese sauce can be used with all your favorite pasta recipes that the whole family loves.
- Take a twist from the traditional bolognese sauce and swap the beef with ground turkey and try using whole tomatoes that have been diced to make this meaty sauce even better.
- Make sure to use beef broth when making this meat-based sauce for great flavor in this homemade bolognese sauce.
What to Serve with Beef Bolognese
- Oven-Roasted Asparagus
- Chicken Caesar Salad
- Oven-Roasted Mushrooms
- Garlic parmesan Pull-Apart Biscuits
- Crusty Artisan Bread
- One-Hour Dinner Rolls
- Bacon Garlic Green Beans
- Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks
Products I love when making bolognese sauce…
This pasta sauce recipe is SUPER EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me, then you maybe already have some of these items on hand OR maybe you have never made homemade meat sauce before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love it. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this dinner recipe. (you can also SHOP MY FAVORITES in my store)
If you love this easy one-pot bolognese recipe, you’re going to love these other Italian-inspired recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
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Easy Bolognese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 onion chopped (1 ¼ cup)
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 1 carrot chopped (do not peel the carrot)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 pounds ground beef 85% lean
- ¾ cup red wine
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 56 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Optional garnishes: parmesan cheese freshly chopped oregano
Instructions
- Saute the onion, celery, and carrot with the olive oil for 6 minutes in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the tomato paste and garlic to the pot. Mix and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add beef to the pot. Mix and cook for 8 minutes or until fully browned
- Add the wine, thyme, pepper, oregano, to the pot. Mix and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes, sugar, bay leaf, and salt, to the pot. Cover and simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, for approximately 60 minutes.
Notes
- Can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- Can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- This can be placed in a crock pot and cooked on high for 6-8 hours or on low for 3-4 hours.
