17 The Best Italian Bolognese Recipe Get Ready To Indulge!
Published on: Mar 18, 2024
In addition to being a staple dish in Italian cuisine, bolognese sauce is loved and enjoyed by people all over the world. Its rich and robust flavors make it a popular choice for pasta, lasagna, and other Italian dishes. While there are many variations of bolognese sauce, we have crafted the best Italian bolognese recipe that is sure to impress even the most discerning palates. With a perfect balance of ingredients and cooking techniques, this bolognese sauce will have your taste buds singing. Let's dive into the details of this mouth-watering recipe and discover how you can recreate it in your own kitchen.
Main Ingredients: Mild Italian Sausage, Lean Ground Beef, Yellow Onion
Bolognese sauce, also known as ragù alla bolognese, is a classic Italian meat-based sauce that is traditionally served with tagliatelle or other pasta. This rich and flavorful sauce is made with a combination of ground meat, vegetables, and tomatoes, and is a staple in many Italian households. While there are many variations of this sauce, here are 20 delicious recipes for bolognese sauce that are sure to become a favorite in your home.
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Classic Bolognese Sauce
Main Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Pancetta
This recipe stays true to the traditional Italian bolognese sauce, using a combination of ground beef and pork, as well as a dash of wine and milk for added depth of flavor. Serve it over your favorite pasta for a hearty and satisfying meal.
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Easy Weeknight Bolognese Sauce
Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Sweet Onion, Sliced Mushrooms, Minced
If you're short on time but still want to enjoy a delicious homemade bolognese sauce, this recipe is for you. Made with ground beef, canned tomatoes, and a few key spices, it comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for a busy weeknight meal.
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Spaghetti Bolognese Sauce
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Ground Beef, White Onion, Garlic, Tomato
This classic pairing of spaghetti and bolognese sauce is a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults alike. This recipe uses a combination of ground beef and pork, as well as a splash of red wine for added richness.
This recipe is a true representation of a traditional bolognese sauce, using a combination of beef, pork, and veal for a rich and meaty flavor. The addition of pancetta and a splash of white wine adds even more depth to this delicious sauce.
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Beef Bolognese Sauce
Main Ingredients: Bacon, Butter, Onion, Garlic, Ground Round, Tomatoes
If you prefer to use just one type of meat in your bolognese sauce, this recipe is for you. Made with only ground beef, this sauce is still full of flavor thanks to the addition of carrots, celery, and a blend of spices.
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Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce
Main Ingredients: Crushed Tomatoes, Extra Lean Ground Beef, Onion
This recipe takes the classic bolognese sauce and transforms it into a slow cooker meal that is perfect for busy days. Simply throw all the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it simmer away until you're ready to eat.
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Homemade Bolognese Sauce
Main Ingredients: Yellow Onion, Red Bell Pepper, Baby Portobello
Forget store-bought jars of sauce, this homemade bolognese sauce is so much better. Made with a combination of ground beef and pork, as well as onions, carrots, and celery, it's a delicious and comforting meal that will leave you feeling satisfied.
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Whole30 Bolognese Sauce
Main Ingredients: Sliced Pancetta, Ground Veal, Ground Beef, Carrot
If you're following a Whole30 diet, you don't have to miss out on a delicious bolognese sauce. This recipe uses zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta, and is made with grass-fed beef and a homemade sauce that is free from added sugars and preservatives.
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Elk Bolognese Sauce
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, White Onion, Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Minced
This unique twist on bolognese sauce uses ground elk meat for a lean and flavorful dish. The sauce is made with tomatoes, spices, and a touch of heavy cream for added richness.
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Lentil Bolognese Sauce
Main Ingredients: Brown Lentils, Vegetable Broth, Baby Bella Mushrooms
For a vegetarian take on bolognese sauce, try this recipe that uses lentils as a meat substitute. The lentils give the sauce a hearty and meaty texture, while the addition of red wine and herbs adds depth of flavor.
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Bolognese Sauce 2
Main Ingredients: Onion, Carrots, Celery, Prosciutto, Ground Beef, Ground
This recipe is a variation of the classic bolognese sauce, using a combination of ground beef and pork, as well as a few secret ingredients such as Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce for added umami flavor.
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Keto Bolognese Sauce
Main Ingredients: Beef Stock, Tallow, Medium Onion, Garlic, Marjoram
If you're following a keto diet, this bolognese sauce is the perfect meal for you. It's made with ground beef, onions, garlic, and a homemade tomato sauce that is low in carbs but still packed with flavor.
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Vegan Bolognese Sauce
Main Ingredients: Onion, Celery Stalk, Medium Carrot, Textured Soy
For a vegan and plant-based option, try this bolognese sauce that uses lentils and mushrooms as a meat substitute. The sauce is made with a blend of tomatoes, herbs, and spices for a rich and flavorful meal.
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Walnut Bolognese Sauce
Main Ingredients: Walnuts, Parsley, Tomato Sauce
For a unique and delicious twist on bolognese sauce, try this recipe that uses ground walnuts instead of traditional meat. The walnuts add a delicious nutty flavor and a hearty texture to the sauce.
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Chunky Bolognese Sauce
Main Ingredients: Diced Fire Roasted Tomatoes, Tomato Paste, Coconut
If you prefer a chunkier sauce, this recipe is for you. It uses a combination of diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and crushed tomatoes for a sauce that is full of chunks of tomato and vegetables.
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Hearty Bolognese Sauce
Main Ingredients: Onion, Carrot, Cremini Mushrooms, Eggplant, Tempeh
This bolognese sauce is perfect for those cold winter nights when you need a comforting and filling meal. Made with ground beef, carrots, celery, and a blend of spices, it's a hearty and delicious meal that will warm you up from the inside out.
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Basic Bolognese Sauce
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Garlic, Onions, Minced Beef, Tomato Puree
If you're new to making bolognese sauce, this recipe is a great place to start. It uses simple ingredients such as ground beef, canned tomatoes, and a few key spices for a delicious and easy-to-make sauce.
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Bolognese Sauce (The Best)
Main Ingredients: Onion, Celery, Carrots, Garlic, Pancetta, Mortadella
This recipe claims to be "the best" and with good reason. Made with a blend of ground beef, pork, and veal, as well as pancetta and a splash of red wine, this bolognese sauce is full of rich and bold flavors.
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Vegetarian Bolognese Sauce
Main Ingredients: Veggie Burgers, Gluten, Olive Oil, Onion, Celery, Small
If you're looking for a vegetarian option, this recipe uses a blend of mushrooms and lentils for a meaty texture and a delicious sauce. It's also packed with vegetables and herbs for added flavor and nutrition.
Creating the Base: The Holy Trinity of Bolognese
The Key Ingredients
To create the best bolognese sauce, the three crucial ingredients are ground beef, pancetta, and onions. These three ingredients form the holy trinity of bolognese and are the foundation of its rich flavor. The ground beef provides the texture and depth of flavor, while the pancetta adds a smoky and savory note. Onions, on the other hand, bring a subtle sweetness and balance to the sauce.
The Cooking Technique
To make the bolognese base, brown the ground beef and pancetta in a large pot over medium-high heat. This will help develop the flavors and create a rich, caramelized base for the sauce. Once the meat is browned, add in the onions and cook until they are translucent. This will infuse the base with a sweet and savory flavor.
Building the Flavor: The Secret Ingredients
The Key Ingredients
Apart from the holy trinity, there are a few secret ingredients that elevate this bolognese sauce to the next level. Carrots, celery, and garlic are added to the base to bring a depth of flavor and add a touch of sweetness to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes.
The Cooking Technique
To incorporate these secret ingredients, add them to the pot and cook until they are soft and fragrant. This will infuse the sauce with a rich and complex flavor. Be sure to chop the vegetables finely, so they blend seamlessly into the sauce.
Bringing it all Together: The Simmering Process
The Key Ingredient
The final ingredient that brings the bolognese sauce together is tomatoes. Canned crushed tomatoes are the best choice as they provide a deep, rich tomato flavor that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.
The Cooking Technique
Once the tomatoes are added, lower the heat and let the sauce simmer for at least an hour. This slow cooking process allows all the flavors to meld together and creates a thick and rich sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.
The Perfect Pairing: Serving Suggestions
The Key Ingredient
While bolognese sauce is typically served with spaghetti, there are many other pasta options that pair well with this rich sauce. Some popular choices include rigatoni, fettuccine, and pappardelle. The key is to choose a pasta shape that can hold the sauce and allows for a perfect bite every time.
The Serving Technique
To serve the bolognese sauce, cook the pasta until al dente and toss it in the sauce before serving. This will ensure that the pasta is fully coated in the rich and flavorful sauce.
In conclusion, the best Italian bolognese recipe is a perfect balance of key ingredients, cooking techniques, and serving suggestions. With this recipe, you can recreate the authentic flavors of Italy in your own kitchen. So grab your apron and get cooking!