How to Make Bolognese

A bowl of thick, orange-colored ground meat stew with visible herbs and vegetables, placed on a dark cloth next to a black spoon.

Bolognese sauce is a slow simmered meat sauce known for its deep, rich flavor and velvety texture. As it cooks, the ingredients meld into a savory sauce that coats pasta beautifully. It works just as well for spaghetti as it does for layering into lasagna.

Course Sauces and Spices

Cuisine American, International

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 1

Servings Servings

Calories 223kcal

Author Zuzana Paar

Equipment

1 Wooden Spatula
1 Cooking Pot

Ingredients

2 Cups Ground Meat of Choice
1 Cup Bacon diced into small bits
1 ½ Cups Rich Tomato Sauce
1 Cup Full-Fat Heavy Cream
1 Cup Crisp Celery diced
1 Piece Onion finely chopped
4 Piece Garlic Cloves pressed
¼ Cup Oregano freshly minced
¼ Cup Marjoram Leaves chopped

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Gather all ingredients and chop them into small, even pieces, keeping them in separate bowls. Ground beef can be swapped for pork or another meat, and celery can be replaced with zucchini if preferred.
Heat olive oil in a pot and sauté the onions until lightly caramelized. Add the garlic and cook briefly until fragrant to build a flavorful base.
Add the bacon and ground meat, stirring well. Cook for 10–15 minutes until evenly browned, covering the pot to lock in flavor.
Stir in the celery and oregano and marjoram, using fresh or dried. Season with salt and pepper, then cook for another 10 minutes.
Pour in the tomato sauce and heavy cream, stirring until fully combined and smooth.
Cover and simmer for 40 minutes so the flavors meld into a rich, hearty dish

Notes

Let It Simmer Low and Slow: The longer it cooks, the more the flavors meld together. Aim for at least an hour.
Season in Layers: Salt and pepper as you go, tasting along the way to get the perfect balance.
Use the Right Meat: A mix of ground beef and pork adds extra depth and tenderness to the sauce.
Let It Rest Overnight: Bolognese tastes even better the next day, so make it ahead for maximum flavor.

Nutrition