Comforting Bolognese

What You Need to Make This Cozy Winter Pasta Recipe

🫒 Olive Oil: Any good pasta sauce starts with oil, and in my pasta recipes, I always opt to use olive oil. Why? For starters, olive oil is filled with healthy fats and also takes on a delicious flavor, making it perfect in this recipe.

🥕 Carrots, Celery, Onion: Also known as mirepoix, the combination of diced carrots, celery, and onion makes for the perfect base for this sauce.

🥩 Ground Beef & Ground Pork: Bolognese is a meaty dish by nature, and the combination of ground beef and ground pork adds the perfect flavor to this dish. If you want to substitute other meats, see my notes below!

🥓 Pancetta: This is optional, but I love the salty, porky flavor that pancetta adds to this recipe!

🥫 Tomato Paste: A can of tomato paste is what gives the sauce its rich tomato flavor and deep red color. You can vary the amount that you’re using depending on how thick you want the sauce to be.

🧄 Garlic: I always recommend using fresh garlic, whenever possible, and this recipe is no exception.

🧂 Seasonings: To season this dish, you’ll need a combination of sea salt, ground black pepper, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and nutmeg.

🍷 Red Wine: A splash of red wine helps to add richness and depth to the sauce. Any red wine works!

🥛 Milk: Pick your favorite milk and use it in this recipe! I used almond milk because it’s what I had, but any dairy or non-dairy milk works well.

🍅 Crushed Tomatoes: The crushed tomatoes help to amplify the rich, delicious, tomato flavor of this sauce.

🧀 Parmigiano Reggiano: I always recommend using freshly grated parmesan cheese (or parmigiano reggiano), whenever possible. It adds the best flavor to this dish and is worth the splurge, in my opinion.

🌿 Parsley: A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds the perfect garnish to this recipe!

🍝 Pasta: Of course, it wouldn’t be a pasta bolognese without the pasta! I like using pappardelle noodles, but any pasta shape will work well.

Then, add in the diced garlic, tomato paste, and seasonings. Stir them together for 1 minute, until the meat is nice and fragrant

How to Make This Warm & Comforting Bolognese

To make this comforting bolognese, start by adding the olive oil to a large dutch oven or pot, on the stove. Dice the carrots, celery, and onion. Then, once the pot is hot, add them to the pot. Sauté them in the olive oil for 3-4 minutes, until they begin to cook down. Then, add in the ground beef, ground pork, and pancetta (if using) and use a spoon to mash them together until crumbles form. Allow the meat to cook for 5-8 minutes – you can drain the fat from the pot if you desire to.

Next, dice the garlic, and add it to the pot alongside the tomato paste and seasonings (the sea salt, ground black pepper, Italian seasonings, crushed red pepper flakes, and nutmeg). Stir them together for 1 minute, until the meat is nice and fragrant. Then, stir in the wine and milk, being sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to ensure that everything is fully incorporated. Then, add in the crushed tomatoes.

A large pot of tomato-based meat sauce garnished with chopped herbs and grated cheese. A wooden spoon rests inside the pot. Surrounding the pot are ingredients like olive oil, pasta, and seasonings on a light-colored surface. — Then, stir in the wine, milk, and crushed tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Then cover, reduce the heat to low, and allow the mixture to simmer for 20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and the meat is fully cooked through.

Two plates of pasta topped with hearty meat sauce and garnished with herbs sit on a table. A pot of sauce, grated cheese, a knife on a cutting board with parsley, a glass of red wine, and a bowl of pepper are nearby. — Prepare the pasta according to the package instructions. Once the pasta is done, add it to the pot with the Bolognese alongside 1/2 of the Parmigiano Reggiano. Stir to combine. Then, plate and garnish with the remaining cheese and parsley.

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Then cover, reduce the heat to low, and allow the mixture to simmer for 20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and the meat is fully cooked through. While the mixture is boiling, prepare the pasta according to the package instructions.

Once the pasta is done, drain the water from it and set it aside. Once the Bolognese has stir in the chopped parsley and half of the Parmigiano Reggiano. Taste and adjust the sea salt and pepper as needed. Add the pasta to the pot with the Bolognese and stir until the noodles are fully coated in the sauce. Finally, top with the remaining Parmigiano Reggiano, serve, and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! The best part about this sauce is that it tastes even better with time. Simply transfer the cooled sauce into a large jar or airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to one week, or in the freezer for up to three months. Then, when you’re ready to enjoy it, simply reheat the sauce on the stove and add it to your favorite pasta!

Can I use a different type of meat for bolognese?

Yes! You can substitute ground turkey, ground chicken, replace the pork with more beef, if desires… use what works for you!

Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

Yes, you can. Simply swap out the meat for ground meatless crumbles (or even seitan) for a vegetarian-friendly variation. If you want to make it vegan-friendly as well, be sure to use a plant-based milk and swap out the Parmigiano Reggiano for a plant-based parmesan cheese,

What type of pasts should I use for this recipe?

I like using pappardelle, which is a long, wide, and thick noodle that perfectly soaks up the Bolognese sauce. However, any type of pasta will work well, in this recipe. Pick your favorite or use what you already have!Q

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim

Nut Free/Refined Sugar Free