Heart-Healthy Classic Beef Bolognese Sauce
Elevate your pasta night with this Heart-Healthy Classic Beef Bolognese Sauce, a lighter take on a timeless Italian favorite. Made with nutrient-packed vegetables, extra-lean ground beef, and low-sodium canned tomatoes, this recipe is crafted to balance bold, slow-simmered flavors with heart-smart ingredients. A splash of dry white wine and a touch of skim milk lend the sauce its velvety texture, while aromatic herbs like oregano, basil, and bay leaf enhance every bite. Perfectly paired with whole-grain pasta or a fiber-rich alternative, it’s a wholesome, satisfying meal the whole family will love. Ready in just over two hours, this healthy Bolognese is worth the wait for its rich, indulgent taste that doesn’t compromise your health goals.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound extra-lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounce low-sodium canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup skim milk
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 bay leaf
- 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the finely chopped onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for about 10 minutes until the vegetables are softened and slightly golden.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, ensuring the garlic does not burn.
Add the extra-lean ground beef to the skillet. Cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until it's browned and fully cooked through.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes, incorporating it well into the meat and vegetable mixture.
Pour in the dry white wine and increase the heat to medium-high. Let the wine simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the alcohol to evaporate and the flavors to meld.
Add the low-sodium canned crushed tomatoes to the skillet, stirring to combine.
Stir in the oregano, basil, bay leaf, ground black pepper, and salt.
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for about 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. This slow cooking process helps to develop the flavors.
Approximately 15 minutes before the sauce is finished, gradually stir in the skim milk. Continue to simmer, ensuring the sauce does not boil.
Remove the bay leaf and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the sauce just before serving.
Serve the Bolognese sauce over whole grain pasta or a high-fiber alternative for a complete heart-healthy meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1627 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 53.6 g | 69% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.4 g | 82% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 348 mg | 116% | |
| Sodium | 2089 mg | 91% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 118.1 g | 43% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 29.1 g | 104% | |
| Total Sugars | 65.5 g | ||
| Protein | 136.4 g | 273% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.5 mcg | 17% | |
| Calcium | 892 mg | 69% | |
| Iron | 22.0 mg | 122% | |
| Potassium | 6333 mg | 135% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
