Super Easy Bolognese Sauce
Transform your weeknight dinners with this Super Easy Bolognese Sauce, a hearty and flavorful classic that's ready in just 40 minutes! This recipe combines simple pantry staples like canned crushed tomatoes and tomato paste with fresh ingredients like finely chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery for a sauce packed with rich, authentic flavor. A touch of milk creates a velvety texture, while Italian seasoning and optional red pepper flakes add depth and a hint of spice. Perfectly simmered to meld all the vibrant flavors, this quick Bolognese is ideal for topping your favorite pasta and garnishing with fresh basil for a finishing touch. Whether you're cooking for the whole family or meal-prepping for the week, this easy homemade Bolognese will quickly become a go-to recipe for satisfying, stress-free dinners.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium carrot, finely chopped or grated
- 1 medium celery stalk, finely chopped
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 0.25 teaspoons red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 0.25 cups milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the pan and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Mix in the chopped carrot and celery, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Combine well.
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together.
Pour in the milk and stir to combine, then let the sauce simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve the Bolognese sauce over cooked pasta of your choice, and garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1541 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 110.4 g | 142% | |
| Saturated Fat | 36.6 g | 183% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 321 mg | 107% | |
| Sodium | 1398 mg | 61% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 65.9 g | 24% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.1 g | 65% | |
| Total Sugars | 40.3 g | ||
| Protein | 89.6 g | 179% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 251 mg | 19% | |
| Iron | 13.8 mg | 77% | |
| Potassium | 3496 mg | 74% | |
*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.
