Delicious Pasta with Bolognese Sauce Recipe
Authentic Slow-Cooked Bolognese Sauce Recipe
This Bolognese sauce recipe is the real deal. Slow-cooked and packed with flavor, it blends ground beef and ground pork with fresh vegetables and a tomato base. The richness of red wine, San Marzano tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese makes this dish truly special.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 cup white wine
- 28 oz can San Marzano tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 lb spaghetti
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
Warm olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened. This veggie base adds a beautiful depth to your meat sauce.
Step 2: Brown the Meat
Add the ground meat to the pot. Break up the meat with a spoon and cook for about 8-10 minutes until browned. Season with salt and pepper. The combination of beef and pork creates a hearty and flavorful base for your authentic Bolognese.
Step 3: Add Garlic and Wine
Cook the garlic for a minute. Pour in the red wine and white wine. Let the liquid simmer until it reduces by half. The wine deepens the flavors, giving the sauce a rich and aromatic base.
Step 4: Add Tomatoes
Pour in the can of San Marzano tomatoes, crushing them with your hands as you add them to the pot. Stir everything together, making sure the tomatoes blend with the meat and veggies. Add Italian seasoning to enhance the flavors.
Step 5: Slow Cook the Sauce
Lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let the Bolognese sauce slow cook for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. For those with a slow cooker, transfer the sauce to your slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours. The longer cooking time allows the flavors to meld and develop fully.
Step 6: Add Heavy Cream and Parmesan
Once the sauce has thickened and reduced, stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. This step gives the meat sauce a creamy, luxurious texture. Cook for an additional 10 minutes, letting the cheese melt into the sauce.
Step 7: Cook the Spaghetti
While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes for al dente. Drain the pasta, but reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
Step 8: Combine and Serve
Toss the cooked spaghetti with the Bolognese sauce in the pot. Add a little bit of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Serve in bowls, topped with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
Benefits of Slow-Cooked Bolognese
This slow-cooked recipe brings out the best in each ingredient. Ground beef and ground pork provide a savory, meaty base, while the tomato base adds acidity and sweetness. Cooking the sauce low and slow allows the San Marzano tomatoes to break down fully, infusing the sauce with deep tomato flavor.
Using both red wine and white wine enhances the sauce’s complexity. The red wine offers depth, while the white wine adds brightness. The heavy cream at the end smooths out the acidity, resulting in a balanced, rich sauce.
Carrots and celery are essential for adding a subtle sweetness that balances the richness of the meat and tomatoes. This dish also provides essential nutrients from the vegetables and high-quality proteins from the beef and pork.
Nutritional Benefits
This authentic Bolognese sauce is packed with protein, thanks to the beef and pork combination. Protein is essential for muscle repair and overall health. The carrots and celery add vitamins like A and C, contributing to immune health and skin support.
Tomatoes, especially San Marzano tomatoes, are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that helps fight inflammation and supports heart health. The addition of Parmesan cheese adds calcium, crucial for bone strength, while olive oil contributes healthy fats that support heart and brain function.
Perfect for Meal Prep
This Bolognese sauce recipe is ideal for meal prep. Make a large batch and store it in the fridge for up to five days, or freeze it for up to three months. When ready to eat, simply reheat the sauce and serve over freshly cooked spaghetti or your favorite pasta.
Enjoy the benefits of a classic Italian meal that is not only delicious but also nutritious!