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The Ultimate Slow-Simmered Authentic Beef Bolognese Sauce

Close-up of spaghetti noodles generously topped with rich, dark bolognese sauce on a white plate.
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Make a rich, flavorful, slow-simmered Bolognese sauce that tastes like it cooked all day. This recipe uses simple ingredients to create a hearty Italian meat sauce perfect for family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional, for deeper flavor)
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 8 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. If using, pour in the red wine and let it simmer until it mostly evaporates, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, milk, oregano, and basil. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let the Bolognese sauce cook slowly for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally. For the best flavor, simmer for 3 to 4 hours.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving over your favorite pasta, like tagliatelle or spaghetti.

Notes

  • For an easy weeknight Bolognese, you can reduce the simmer time to 45 minutes, though the flavor will be less developed.
  • This rich meat sauce freezes well; cool completely before storing in airtight containers.
  • Use a mix of ground beef and ground pork or veal for a more traditional, complex flavor profile.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/bolognese-sauce-ultimate-slow-simmered-recipe/