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    Home » Recipes » Italian Recipes

    Traditional Bolognese Sauce

    Published: Feb 13, 2019 · Modified: Nov 28, 2021 by Samantha Ferraro · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Traditional bolognese sauce is a labor of love. Made low and slow with layers of ground beef and pork, carrots and celery and a splash of milk for creaminess.

    Serve traditional bolognese sauce with a healthy grating of fresh Parmesan cheese.

    A few months ago we had the pleasure of touring a local ranch near us in Washington in a small town called Ferndale. Long story short, Joe thought he was stopping by a farm that raised local turkeys (it was around Thanksgiving) but instead another family owned the property and raises chicken, pigs and cow.

    Cougar Creek Ranch doesn't have a website or a Facebook page yet, so I can't tag them, but I can tell you that this family run business loves their animals. We met the baby pigs and toured the spacious grounds..it was lovely!

    I could go on and on, but I did interview them on my channel with KPNW Radio. You can listen to Episode #4 HERE!

    Serve traditional bolognese sauce with a healthy grating of fresh Parmesan cheese.

    What makes a traditional bolognese

    We were lucky enough to be gifted local and pastured raised ground pork and beef from our new friends at Cougar Creek Ranch. I couldn't wait to make a traditional bolognese with the meat.

    A traditional bolognese is so much more then a simple meat sauce and has a few stand out key elements: Ground meat, either pork, beef or a combination. A mirepoix including carrots, celery and onion and a splash of creamy milk to make the most luxurious bolognese sauce.

    A course chop of carrots, celery and onion is added to the bolognese sauce giving the sauce another layer of flavor.

    Bolognese sauce ingredients are staples you probably have

    I am a firm believer in using ingredients that you have. The beautiful thing about a traditional bolognese is that the sauce is made up of common staples. Carrots, celery and onions are used on the regular in our kitchen, but if you ran out of celery, don't go out of your way to buy it. The thick ragu like sauce will still have layers of flavor.

    In addition, I love using a combination of meats. The pork has a good amount of fat for flavor and the beef offers wonderful flavor and substance. I would even suggesting using ground turkey or ground chicken with a fattier cut such as pork or in my previous recipe, bolognese with wild boar.

    Serve traditional bolognese sauce with a healthy grating of fresh Parmesan cheese.
    Traditional bolognese sauce is a labor of love. Made low and slow with layers of ground beef and pork, carrots and celery and a splash of milk for creaminess.

    Traditional Bolognese Sauce with Ground Beef and Pork

    Samantha Ferraro

    LittleFerraroKitchen.com

    Traditional bolognese sauce is a labor of love. Made low and slow with layers of ground beef and pork, carrots and celery and a splash of milk for creaminess.
    3.82 from 32 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 3 hrs
    Total Time 3 hrs 10 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 619 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 carrots peeled and roughly chopped
    • 1 small white onion roughly chopped
    • 2 stalks of celery roughly chopped
    • Olive oil for drizzling
    • 3 garlic cloves chopped finely
    • 1 pound ground pork
    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 2 tsp. dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or more for added heat
    • 1 cup whole milk
    • 1 ½ cup red wine
    • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 2- 32 ounce can crushed tomatoes
    • 1 small Parmesan rind
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 pound linguini
    • Freshly grated Parmesan for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Start by making the mirepoix by adding chopped carrots, onion and celery to a food processor and pulse until very finely chopped.
    • Heat a large dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat and drizzle with olive oil. Add the chopped vegetables and cook for 3-5 minutes until the vegetables release some water and soften.
    • Add in the chopped garlic and continue cooking for 1 more minute until the garlic softens and just turns a light golden brown.
    • Add in the ground meets and use a spatula to break up the meat and cook for about 5-7 minutes until mostly cooked through, It's OK if there are some under-cooked parts. Stir in dried oregano and red pepper.
    • Make a well in the center of the pot, moving the meat to the sides and pour in the milk. Cook until milk reduces, about 3-5 minutes making sure it doesn't burn. You may need stir in some of the meat so milk doesn't burn.
    • Next, pour in wine and allow to reduce for 2-3 minutes and add in tomato paste. Stir everything to combine and add crushed tomatoes, Parmesan rind and a good sprinkle of salt and pepper.
    • Give one final stir and bring sauce to a gentle boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce to a simmer and place a lid on, leaving a small opening.
    • Simmer bolognese sauce for at least 1 hour and longer, if you have the time, up to 3 hours. COntinue stirring the sauce, making sure nothing is sticking to the bottom.
    • Once done, mix some of the sauce with cooked pasta and toss to combine.
    • Garnish with exyta grating of Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 619kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 30gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 295mgPotassium: 1022mgFiber: 5gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 2975IUVitamin C: 14.6mgCalcium: 142mgIron: 4.8mg
    Keyword bolognese recipe, bolognese sauce, linguini and bolognese, traditional bolognese recipe
    Did you make this recipe?Let us know by leaving a comment and 5 star rating!

    Looking for more classic Italian recipes? Try my eggplant Parmesan  or my vodka pink sauce aka penne alla vecchia bettola

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jennifer says

      February 21, 2019 at 12:06 pm

      5 stars
      You don't say how long to simmer at the end.

      Reply
    2. Karen mackenzie says

      March 29, 2020 at 1:54 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe! We will definitely make it again.

      Reply
      • Samantha says

        March 31, 2020 at 8:14 am

        Thank you so much Karen! Happy cooking!!

        Reply
    3. Giangi Townsend says

      November 29, 2021 at 6:17 am

      5 stars
      Perfection! I love Bolognese and as I am reading the ingredients list, my mouth is salivating and now I have to go in my kitchen and make some. Delicious dish. Thank you for sharing, on the menu today

      Reply
    4. Kayla DiMaggio says

      November 29, 2021 at 6:20 pm

      5 stars
      Loving how easy this traditional bolognese sauce is! It was super delicious and will be our new Sunday staple!

      Reply
    5. Addie says

      November 29, 2021 at 7:50 pm

      5 stars
      Total comfort food! Love this with spaghetti squash!

      Reply

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