Simple Bolognese Sauce
Pasta love is back again. I’ve always said food is my love language, but pasta may actually be my love language. Something about it just gives me all the feelings. I’m not even Italian. This simple bolognese sauce has a great depth of flavor and it’s fairly easy to make!
Sharing
The first time I experimented with this recipe, it was simmering on the stove and a wave came over me. “This meal needs to be shared”. Naturally, I called Grace and our families had dinner together in my backyard. Some meals should not be eaten alone or kept a secret. These meals are usually pasta for me. Anyone else?
Sauce is always great for sharing. I’m a big proponent of making large batches of any pasta sauce. This simple bolognese recipe definitely makes a decent amount for sharing or freezing. If I have enough ingredients on hand, I do make a double batch so I have a few meals in the freezer which is so convenient on days when I have “nothing to eat”.
The Process
To begin, prepare the onions, carrots, celery and garlic by finely chopping everything. Heat a large sauce pot or dutch oven and add olive oil. I’ve been using this affordable dutch oven all winter. It works great for sauces and soups. Once it’s heated, add the onions, carrots, and celery. Saute until everything is nice and soft, about 10 minutes.
Next add the garlic and crushed red pepper. Saute for a few minutes, just until fragrant. Add the ground beef and brown on medium-low heat.
Add the tomato paste and combine well. Saute everything for a few more minutes before adding the liquid. You can use red wine or beef broth, or a combination of both. If using broth, I like to use a little sugar as well just to sweeten everything. If you use wine, it probably doesn’t need any sugar.
Finally, add all of the spices and then the crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil and then turn the heat down to a simmer. Allow this to cook for a few hours or as long as you can. Sauce is best when it has a few hours, in my opinion.
As the sauce simmers, stir it every once in a while and taste. Add salt as needed. If it gets too thick, add some of your pasta water when you have that cooking.
Serve this simple bolognese sauce with your favorite pasta, ravioli, or even some spaghetti squash! Invite your friends or family over for this one. They will feel the love, I promise.
Simple Bolognese Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 large carrots
- 1 stalk celery
- 1 medium onion
- 8 cloves garlic
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 6oz tomato paste
- 1 28oz crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
- 1 tbsp better than beef bullion and 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 2 tsp salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Finely chop onions, celery, and carrots and set aside.
- Mince or grate garlic and set aside.
- Heat a large pot or dutch oven on medium-high heat.
- Add the olive oil to the pan and heat. Onions, carrots, and celery should saute for a few minutes- until they are soft.
- When vegetables are soft, add the garlic and saute for one minute. Then add the ground beef and turn the heat down to medium-low.
- Once the meat is just browned, mix in the tomato paste. Allow that to cook for a few minutes. Then add the wine if you're using it. If not, add the beef stock and sugar.
- After that is well combined, add the crushed tomatoes and spices.
- Bring to a boil and then simmer for a few hours. Add salt as needed.
- Serve with your favorite pasta or pasta alternative!