If you’re craving a rich, hearty, and truly comforting Italian classic, this Homemade Bolognese Sauce Recipe is exactly what you need to bring that authentic taste to your table. This sauce is a beautiful blend of ground beef and pork sausage simmered with fresh vegetables, garlic, red wine, and a touch of milk to create a luscious, velvety texture that clings perfectly to your pasta. Each bite is a celebration of deeply layered flavors, making it an absolute favorite for family dinners or special occasions. Once you master this recipe, you’ll never want to settle for store-bought sauce again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Preparing a fantastic Bolognese sauce is surprisingly simple, thanks to a few wholesome ingredients that each play an essential role in crafting the perfect balance of taste, texture, and color. From fresh veggies to aromatic herbs and rich meats, these ingredients come together effortlessly to create that classic slow-simmered flavor.
- 1 lb ground beef (80% lean): Provides hearty texture and meaty richness essential for depth.
- 1/2 lb pork sausage: Adds savory, slightly fatty flavor that enhances the sauce’s juiciness.
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped: Offers a subtle sweetness that softens as it cooks down.
- 1 medium carrot, grated: Brings a natural sweetness and bright color that balances acidity.
- 1 stalk celery, finely diced: Adds fresh, aromatic notes and a pleasant crunch before simmering.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced: Infuses the sauce with pungent warmth and depth.
- 28 oz canned whole or crushed tomatoes: The saucy base, giving rich tomato flavor and body.
- 1/2 cup red wine: Boosts flavor complexity and tenderizes the meat.
- 1/2 cup milk or cream: Smooths acidity and makes the sauce beautifully creamy.
- 2 tsp dried oregano: Adds herbaceous notes, marrying the ingredients.
- 2 tsp dried basil: Provides fresh, fragrant undertones to finish.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Essential seasonings to enhance every flavor.
- 2 tbsp olive oil: For sautéing the vegetables and building the flavor base.
How to Make Homemade Bolognese Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Sofrito
Begin by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add your finely chopped onions, grated carrots, and diced celery, letting them soften gently for 5 to 7 minutes. This mixture, known as soffritto, is the flavorful foundation of your sauce, where sweetness and aroma develop to enrich every bite.
Step 2: Brown the Meat
Turn up the heat slightly and add the ground beef and pork sausage to the pot. Stir continuously, breaking the meat into small pieces until it’s beautifully browned and no longer pink. This caramelization step is critical for creating that deep, savory base that characterizes a great Bolognese.
Step 3: Add Garlic and Tomatoes
Once the meat is browned, stir in the minced garlic and let it cook until fragrant—it only takes about a minute. Then add your canned tomatoes, including all the juices, stirring to combine. The tomatoes bring acidity and sweetness while locking in all those wonderful flavors you’ve built so far.
Step 4: Deglaze with Red Wine and Simmer
Pour in the red wine to deglaze the pot, carefully scraping up all the caramelized bits stuck to the bottom—they hold intense flavor secrets. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer, partially cover the pot, and let it cook slowly for 45 minutes to an hour. This slow simmer is where the magic happens—the flavors meld together into a luscious, complex sauce.
Step 5: Finish with Cream and Herbs
About ten minutes before serving, stir in the milk or cream to soften the acidity and add silkiness. Season your sauce with dried oregano, basil, salt, and pepper to taste. Give everything a final stir, then get ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor!
How to Serve Homemade Bolognese Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese over your plated dish for a salty, nutty kick that complements the rich sauce perfectly. A few torn fresh basil leaves add a bright, herbal freshness, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil can make it truly shine.
Side Dishes
This sauce pairs wonderfully with al dente pasta, especially tagliatelle or pappardelle, whose wide ribbons hold on to the thick sauce beautifully. Serve with a crisp green salad dressed lightly in lemon and olive oil to cut through the richness, or a simple side of garlic bread to sop up every last drop.
Creative Ways to Present
Beyond pasta, try spooning the Bolognese over creamy polenta or roasted spaghetti squash for a fresh twist. It also makes an incredible filling for lasagna, baked stuffed peppers, or even a hearty sloppy joe-style sandwich for a playful take on comfort food.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Allow your sauce to cool to room temperature before transferring it into airtight containers. Properly stored in the fridge, it will stay fresh for up to 4 days, making it a perfect make-ahead meal for busy weeknights.
Freezing
Homemade Bolognese Sauce Recipe freezes brilliantly. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some space for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing its wonderful flavor or texture—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, or use the microwave in short bursts while stirring between intervals. Add a splash of water or broth if it thickens too much to bring back that perfect saucy consistency.
FAQs
Can I use only one type of meat for this Bolognese sauce?
Absolutely! While this recipe combines ground beef and pork sausage for depth and richness, you can use just one type if that’s what you have on hand. Ground beef alone works well, and you can always adjust seasonings to enhance flavor.
Is red wine necessary when making Bolognese sauce?
Red wine adds wonderful acidity and complexity, but if you prefer not to use alcohol, you can substitute with beef broth or even a splash of balsamic vinegar. It will still be delicious, though slightly different in character.
Why do I need to add milk or cream at the end?
The milk or cream softens the acidity of the tomatoes and adds silkiness to the sauce. It’s a traditional touch that makes the texture luscious and the flavor beautifully balanced.
Can I make this sauce in a slow cooker?
Yes, after browning the meat and sautéing the vegetables on the stovetop, transfer everything to a slow cooker and simmer on low for 4 to 6 hours. This method enhances the flavors even more with minimal effort.
What pasta types work best with Homemade Bolognese Sauce Recipe?
Wide and flat pastas like tagliatelle or pappardelle are classic because they catch the thick sauce wonderfully. However, robust shapes like rigatoni or fettuccine also hold up nicely and provide a satisfying bite with every forkful.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly rewarding about making a Homemade Bolognese Sauce Recipe from scratch—it’s not just a meal, but a labor of love that fills your home with irresistible aromas and your plate with pure comfort. Once you’ve tasted the rich, slow-simmered goodness, it will quickly become one of your go-to recipes. So grab those simple ingredients, take your time with the cooking, and get ready to delight everyone at your table with this truly classic Italian treasure.
Print
Homemade Bolognese Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This classic Homemade Bolognese Sauce is a rich and hearty Italian meat sauce perfect for pasta dishes. Made with a blend of ground beef and pork sausage, sautéed vegetables, tomatoes, red wine, and finished with a touch of milk or cream, this slow-simmered sauce delivers deep, comforting flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Meats
- 1 lb ground beef (80% lean)
- 1/2 lb pork sausage
Vegetables
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot, grated
- 1 stalk celery, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids & Sauces
- 28 oz canned whole or crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1/2 cup milk or cream
Herbs & Spices
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Oils
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions, grated carrot, and diced celery to the pot. Sauté these vegetables until they become soft and translucent, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Cook the Meats: Increase the heat slightly, then add the ground beef and pork sausage to the pot. Cook until the meat is browned thoroughly, breaking apart any large chunks with a spoon to ensure it cooks evenly.
- Add Garlic and Tomatoes: Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Then add the canned whole or crushed tomatoes along with their juices, mixing everything well.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up the brown bits stuck at the bottom for added flavor. Reduce the heat to low, partially cover the pot, and let the sauce simmer gently for 45 minutes to 1 hour to develop a rich taste.
- Finish the Sauce: About 10 minutes before serving, stir in the milk or cream to add a creamy texture to the sauce. Season with salt, pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil. Mix well and adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
Notes
- For a deeper flavor, use good quality red wine and fresh herbs if available.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered during the last 15 minutes.
- This sauce pairs excellently with tagliatelle, pappardelle, or your favorite pasta.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
