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Easy Homemade Bolognese-Style Meat Sauce

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By Joseph Kelly on April 23, 2025. Updated April 23, 2025

No ratings yet
Servings 8 cups
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 12 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 27 minutes

Want tips, step-by-step photos, and more advice? Read the full post below

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Easy Homemade Bolognese-Style Meat Sauce

joemade recipes icon

By Joseph Kelly on April 23, 2025. Updated April 23, 2025

No ratings yet
Servings 8 cups
Prep 15 minutes
Cook 2 hours 12 minutes
Total 2 hours 27 minutes

Want tips, step-by-step photos, and more advice? Read the full post below

A red Dutch oven filled with chunky homemade Bolognese stew sits on a countertop, with a wooden spoon in the pot. A gray cloth and a head of garlic are nearby.
This hearty meat sauce blends ground beef and pork, crushed tomatoes, and herbs for a rich, slow-simmered flavor perfect over pasta or in lasagna.

Easy Homemade Bolognese-Style Meat Sauce

Ingredients 

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 lb ground pork
  • 2 cups onions finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup celery finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup carrot finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp garlic minced
  • 2 28 ounce can of San Marzano tomatoes crushed
  • 1 tomato paste
  • 4 cups beef stock or water
  • 2 sprigs of fresh thyme or dried
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp dried basil
  • Pinch of crushed red pepper
  • ¼ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • Salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large saucepan or dutch oven, over medium heat, add the oil. In a mixing bowl, combine the meat. Season with salt and pepper and mix well. When the oil is hot, add the meat and brown for 4 to 6 minutes. Add the onions, celery, and carrots.
  2. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Add the garlic and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Continue to cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk the tomato paste with the stock and add to the tomatoes. Add the thyme, bay leaves, oregano, basil and red pepper. Mix well. Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 2 hours. Stir occasionally and add more liquid if needed. During the last 30 minutes or cooking, reseason with salt and pepper and stir in the cheese. Remove from the heat and let sit for 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 99mg | Potassium: 277mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1398IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 1mg
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