Description
A classic and easy-to-make Simple Bolognese sauce featuring ground beef simmered with vegetables, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and enriched with milk and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for serving over your favorite pasta, this recipe yields a rich, flavorful sauce ideal for a comforting Italian dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Meat
- 1 pound ground beef (or half beef, half pork)
Seasonings & Sauces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
Finishing Touches
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
- Cooked pasta for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion, carrots, and celery, cooking for 6–8 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Brown the meat: Add the ground beef along with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook until the meat is browned and crumbled, stirring frequently to break it up evenly.
- Incorporate tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Add crushed tomatoes and simmer: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir well. Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add milk and herbs: Stir in the milk, dried oregano, and dried basil. Continue to simmer for an additional 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Finish with Parmesan: Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese to enrich the sauce.
- Serve: Spoon the hot Bolognese sauce over cooked pasta and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- This sauce can be prepared ahead of time and tends to taste even better the next day as flavors develop.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months for future meals.
- For a richer version, add a splash of red wine before adding the crushed tomatoes to boost depth and complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup sauce (without pasta)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
