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Easy Weeknight Bolognese Sauce: Rich & Hearty Italian Meat Sauce

Close-up of steaming spaghetti topped generously with rich bolognese sauce in a white bowl.
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You can make this rich, hearty Bolognese sauce recipe even on a busy weeknight. It delivers that classic, slow-simmered Italian flavor that your family will love, perfect for pasta or lasagna.

Ingredients

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

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 5 to 7 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 for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and the bay leaf. Mix everything well.
  6. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let it gently simmer for at least 45 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor. Stir occasionally.
  7. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  8. Serve your rich Bolognese sauce over your favorite pasta or use it in your next lasagna.

Notes

  • For an even richer flavor, substitute half the ground beef with ground pork or Italian sausage.
  • If you are short on time, you can skip the wine and use 1 cup of strong brewed coffee instead of beef broth for depth.
  • This sauce freezes well. Cool it completely, then store it in airtight containers for up to three months.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookifyme.com/easy-weeknight-bolognese-sauce-recipe/