Name: Easy Bolognese Sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons olive oil; 1 small carrot; 2 sprigs of celery leaves from the stalk chopped fine or removed at the end; 6 freshly minced garlic cloves; 1 tiny onion; 1/2 pounds ground beef (not too lean); 1/2 pounds ground pork; 2/3 cup dry red wine; 4 tablespoons tomato paste; 5 cups whole tomatoes (preferably European); then pureed or use around 2 -1/2 pounds of fresh plum tomatoes added to a food processor leaving a few bits; salt and pepper to taste; 1 bay leaves; 1/3 cup milk; Garnish fresh basil leaves; Optional: we like the taste of sausage so we add 1 teaspoon of fennel seed to the sauce. Also if you like heat in your sauce add a few shakes of red pepper flakes.; We also like ours with grated Pecorino Roman0, chopped fresh basil, and parsley; Pasta of choice cooked to package instructions

If you’re craving a rich, hearty pasta dinner, nothing compares to an authentic homemade Bolognese sauce.

This classic Italian meat sauce, known as ragù alla Bolognese, is slow-simmered to perfection with ground beef, tomatoes, wine, and aromatic vegetables for deep, savory flavor in every bite.

The tomato sauce is rich with meat and simmered slowly for a few hours and a topping for your favorite pasta dish, layering in lasagna, and this traditional Bolognese recipe is the ultimate comfort food.

In this post, you’ll learn how to make Bolognese sauce from scratch, tips for getting that slow-cooked flavor, and why this dish deserves a spot in your regular dinner rotation.

Over the years, it's been recreated several times and adapted to individual taste and added to baked lasagna, baked ziti, or other baked pasta recipes.

This sauce freezes well and can be used in so many other ways, such as soups, stews, casseroles, and making large batches comes in really handy in a pinch.

We have also many cooking methods for the busy cook, set it and forget in a slow cooker or instant pot.

Of course, if you love Italian tomato sauce, you may also like to try our Traditional Sunday Sauce, it's another vintage family recipe.

Scroll down to the easy recipe card to print off and don't forget to read all our tips and suggestions.

this is pasta with bolognese sauce on top and fresh basil

this is a pan of fresh tomatoes with meat in it called bolognese sauce to go on top of pasta

Why You Will Love This Recipe for Bolognese Sauce

Authentic Italian Flavor: This recipe stays true to the traditional classic ragù alla Bolognese, slow-simmered for depth and richness.
Versatile and Delicious: Whether you’re serving it over spaghetti, pappardelle, or layering it in lasagna, this homemade Bolognese sauce enhances any pasta dish.
Family-Friendly Comfort Food: A hearty, meaty sauce that's easy to love, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or Sunday gatherings.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: Using pantry staples like ground beef, tomatoes, and a few popular vegetables like chopped carrots, this recipe proves you don’t need anything fancy for an unforgettable meal.
Make Ahead Friendly: Bolognese tastes even better the next day when flavors meld together, plus it freezes beautifully for quick and easy future meals.

this is spagehtti topped with ragu sauce with basil

Other Cooking Methods

Slow Cooker: Place on low for only 4-6 hours. You will need to saute the meats and vegetables before adding them to the sauce
Instant Pot: Sear the meats with the vegetables first, then use the slow cooker mode for 4-6 hours on low
Dutch Oven Method: Use a heavy cast iron pot, saute the vegetables and meat in the pot, add the tomatoes, bake at 200 degrees for around 3 hours, same instructions
Stovetop: Follow original instructions in the recipe card

this is a ragu made with fresh tomatoes and vegetables to make a tomato sauce topping for pasta

Pasta Suggestions

rigatoni
bowties
mostaccioli
fusilli
seashells
tagliatelle
spaghetti
fettuccini
spirals
low carb, whole wheat, or vegetables pasta like spinach fettuccini

this is carrots, onions and garlic chopped fine

Tips and Suggestions

milk is added to cut the acidity of the tomatoes plus it gives it a smooth delicate taste
Italian serve this in Italy with thicker pasta like gnocchi and tagliatelle pasta here in America spaghetti is the favorite
Using fresh tomatoes when in season, they will need to be cooked longer to reduce the water content
Sauté first, saute the vegetables, add the meat, and cook on high heat until all the pink is removed
the best bolognese sauce needs to be simmered slowly for at least 3 hours there is no such thing as quick authentic bolognese sauce
for sausage, flavor add fennel seeds to the sauce
Remember to remove the bay leaf at the end

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Final Thoughts on Making This Bolognese

There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of a pot of fresh Bolognese sauce simmering on the stovetop.

This rich, comforting, slow-cooked Italian meat sauce transforms simple ingredients into a rich, flavorful dish that feels both rustic and elegant enough to serve at a dinner party.

Whether you’re preparing a cozy weeknight dinner or impressing guests with a homemade macaroni night, this authentic Bolognese recipe will be the star of your gathering.

Once you try making it from scratch, you’ll never go back to store-bought jarred sauce again. easy to make and delicious every time, but fresh is best.

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Italian

Yield: 8

Author: Claudia Lamascolo