Simple Bolognese Sauce Recipe

When we think of comfort food, we often think of many classic recipes like chicken pot pie, meatloaf, or mac and cheese, but there's nothing quite as comforting as a bowl of homemade pasta bolognese. There's something about the meaty, tomato-y sauce that pairs oh so well with a bowl of noodles, making it as comforting of a dish as it is filling.

Recipe developer, Kristen Carli, MS, RD, brings us this recipe for bolognese sauce and says, "Growing up in an Italian American home, the idea of a Sunday Sauce was always prevalent. I love simmering this bolognese sauce on the stovetop on a Sunday afternoon. It gets everyone in the house eager for dinner and that smell just reminds me of home". Carli also notes that she typically serves the bolognese sauce with pasta, naturally, along with a fresh salad or roasted vegetables. A caesar salad is always a crowd pleaser, but sautéed asparagus is also a refreshing option.

To make this bolognese sauce, you can start by gathering your ingredients. For this recipe, you will need butter, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, ground beef, canned whole tomatoes, and milk. For serving, you'll want some pasta of choice and Parmesan cheese.

This recipe begins by sautéing the mirepoix ingredients. Add the butter to a large Dutch oven. Once the butter has melted, add in the carrots, celery, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir these ingredients well before allowing them to sauté until the onion is translucent, which should take about 10 minutes.

Next up, add in the ground beef. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat. Then, stir and allow to cook until the beef is browned, which takes about 8 minutes. "A traditional bolognese will often include a variety of meats such as chuck beef, pork, and Italian sausage," Carli explains, "but using simple ground beef makes this recipe much more attainable for the homecook."

Next, add in the two cans of whole peeled tomatoes and their juices as well as the whole milk. Using the back of a wooden spoon, mash the tomatoes until they are burst and broken. Bring this mixture to a boil. Then, lower to a simmer and continue to cook, undisturbed, for 1 hour.

In the meantime, cook up your pasta according to package directions, drain, and set aside. Then, when ready to plate, scoop up several spoonfuls of bolognese sauce over cooked noodles, before topping with grated Parmesan cheese.