Authentic Italian: Fresh Bolognese Recipe Made Easy

A Favorite Restaurant-Style Meal Made Easy At Home!

Today, I’m excited to share with you an authentic Italian Bolognese recipe that’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen. This rich, hearty meat sauce is perfect for serving over pasta, and it’s made with simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create a truly comforting dish. Whether you’re cooking for your family or hosting a dinner party, this Bolognese will impress everyone at the table. Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Authentic Flavor: Made with traditional ingredients and cooking methods.
• Hearty and Satisfying: Perfect for a cozy family dinner or entertaining guests.
• Versatile: Can be served with various types of pasta or used in lasagna.
• Gluten Free: Can easily be made gluten free with gluten free pasta. My favorite is Gluten Free Barilla Spaghetti.
• Dairy Free: Make it dairy free by substituting 1 cup milk with 1 cup of your favorite milk alternative.

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Ingredients

For the Bolognese Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 cup milk – or use dairy free alternative if needed
• 1 cup beef broth or red wine
• 1 can (28 ounces) petite diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish

For Serving:

• 1 pound tagliatelle or your favorite pasta
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

1. Chop the Vegetables: Finely chop the onion, carrots, and celery. Mince the garlic.

Step 2: Cook the Meat

1. Heat the Olive Oil: In a large dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the Vegetables: Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 8 minutes.
3. Add the Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 3: Build the Sauce

1. Add the Meat: Add the ground beef, pork, and veal to the pot. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain the fat.
2. Add the Broth/Wine: Pour in the beef broth or red wine and cook, stirring frequently, until the milk has evaporated, about 10 minutes.
3. Add the Milk: Pour in the milk and cook until it has evaporated, about 8 minutes.
4. Add the Tomatoes: Stir in the petite diced tomatoes and tomato paste.
5. Season: Add the oregano, basil. Stir to combine.

Step 4: Simmer the Sauce

1. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for at least 30, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor will be. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Cook the Pasta

1. Boil Water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Cook the Pasta: Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
3. Drain: Drain the pasta, reserving a cup of the pasta water.

Step 6: Serve

1. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked pasta with the Bolognese sauce, adding a little reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
2. Garnish: Serve topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh basil.

Want to serve with fresh homemade bread? Take a look at this favorite recipe for Simple No-Knead Overnight Bread

Tips for the Best Bolognese

• Quality Meat: Use a mix of beef and pork for a rich, complex flavor.
• Slow Simmer: Allow the sauce to simmer for at least 30 minutes to develop deep flavors.
• Fresh Herbs: Garnish with fresh herbs for a burst of color and flavor.

Conclusion

There you have it – an authentic Italian Bolognese recipe that’s sure to become a favorite in your home. This classic dish is perfect for any occasion, and its rich, comforting flavors will transport you straight to Italy. Give it a try and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! Buon appetito!

For more delicious recipes and cooking tips, be sure to follow me on social media. Stay tuned for more culinary adventures!

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Print Recipe

Authentic Italian: Fresh Bolognese Recipe Made Easy

A Favorite Restaurant-Style Meal Made At Home!

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course: dinner, lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: From Scratch, Gluten Free, Ground Beef, Pasta, Pasta Sauce

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

Bolognese Sauce:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ large onion finely chopped
• 1 medium carrot finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ lb ground pork
• 1 cup milk sub dairy free option if needed
• 1 cup beef broth or red wine
• 1 (28oz) can petite diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• salt and pepper to taste

Serving:

• 1 lb tagliatelle or your favorite pasta sub gluten free if needed
• fresh basil for garnish
• fresh parmesan for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

• 1. Chop the Vegetables: Finely chop the onion, carrots, and celery. Mince the garlic.

Step 2: Cook the Meat

• 1. Heat the Olive Oil: In a large dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
• 2. Add the Vegetables: Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 8 minutes.
• 3. Add the Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 3: Build the Sauce

• 1. Add the Meat: Add the ground beef, pork, and veal to the pot. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain the fat.
• 2. Add the Broth/Wine: Pour in the beef broth or red wine and cook, stirring frequently, until the milk has evaporated, about 10 minutes.
• 3. Add the Milk: Pour in the milk and cook until it has evaporated, about 8 minutes.
• 4. Add the Tomatoes: Stir in the petite diced tomatoes and tomato paste.
• 5. Season: Add the oregano, basil. Stir to combine.

Step 4: Simmer the Sauce

• 1. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for at least 30, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor will be. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Cook the Pasta

• 1. Boil Water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• 2. Cook the Pasta: Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
• 3. Drain: Drain the pasta, reserving a cup of the pasta water.

Step 6: Serve

• 1. CombinePasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked pasta with the Bolognese sauce, adding a little reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
• 2. Garnish: Serve topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh basil.