Homestyle Italian Bolognese Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, finely chopped 2 carrots, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 ounces (113g) pancetta, finely chopped 4 ounces (113g) pancetta, finely chopped
• 1 pound (450g) ground beef 1 pound (450g) ground beef
• 1 cup (240ml) red wine 1 cup (240ml) red wine
• 1 can (14 ounces/400g) crushed tomatoes 1 can (14 ounces/400g) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) tomato paste 2 tablespoons (30ml) tomato paste
• 1 cup (240ml) beef broth 1 cup (240ml) beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 420 kcal / 1760 KJ
• Fat: 30g (12g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 10g (6g sugars)
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.
2. 2.
   Add the pancetta and ground beef to the pan. Cook until the meat is browned and cooked through.
3. 3.
   Pour in the red wine and simmer until it has reduced by half.
4. 4.
   Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, dried oregano, dried basil, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper.
5. 5.
   Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
6. 6.
   Before serving, stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
7. 7.
   Remove the bay leaf and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pancetta — If pancetta is not available, you can substitute it with an equal amount of bacon for a similar flavor profile.
• Red wine — Choose a dry red wine such as Chianti or Merlot for the best results. If you prefer not to use alcohol, you can substitute it with an equal amount of beef broth.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, allow the sauce to simmer for a longer time, up to 4 hours.
• Leftover sauce can be frozen in portions for future use.
• Serve the Bolognese sauce over al dente pasta, such as tagliatelle or fettuccine, for an authentic Italian experience.
• If you prefer a smoother texture, you can blend the sauce using an immersion blender before adding the cream.
• Feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicy kick.

Serving advice

Serve the Homestyle Italian Bolognese Sauce generously over your favorite pasta. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil for an extra burst of flavor.

Presentation advice

Present the Bolognese sauce in a deep serving dish, allowing the rich color and aroma to take center stage. Pair it with a rustic bread basket and a side of fresh salad for a complete meal.