Dinner

The Very Best Bolognese Sauce Recipe

Name: The Very Best Bolognese Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h 15 min
Total time: 2 h 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 small carrots, chopped; 1 small onion, chopped; 2 celery stalks, chopped; 3 cloves garlic; 8 ounces pancetta; 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend); 1 pound ground pork; 1 cup white wine; 1 (29 ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 1 (4 ounce) can tomato paste; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 cup whole milk; Salt and pepper, to taste

ByHarry Bern February 16, 2026February 16, 2026

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Introduction

This classic Bolognese sauce is rich, hearty, and full of depth thanks to a blend of ground meats, vegetables, and slow simmering. Perfect for pairing with pasta or using in lasagna, this recipe brings authentic Italian flavor to your kitchen.

A white pan filled with gnocchi covered in a thick, chunky red meat sauce. The gnocchi are pale yellow with a soft, slightly ridged texture and are mixed evenly in the sauce, which has a rich reddish-brown color with visible bits of ground meat and small green herb pieces scattered throughout. On top, there are fine shreds of light yellow cheese sprinkled over the dish. In the upper right corner, there are fresh green basil leaves placed as a garnish. The pan is placed on a white marbled surface with a gray cloth partially visible at the bottom left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 small carrots, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 cloves garlic
8 ounces pancetta
1 pound ground beef (80/20)
1 pound ground pork
1 cup white wine
1 (29-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (4-ounce) can tomato paste
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup whole milk
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: In a food processor, add the carrots, onion, celery, and garlic. Pulse until coarsely chopped, being careful not to over-process into mush. Remove and set aside on a plate.
Step 2: Add the pancetta to the food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped.
Step 3: Transfer the pancetta to a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes until it begins to crisp. Remove and set aside on a plate.
Step 4: Add the ground beef and ground pork to the same skillet. Cook and crumble the meat until fully cooked and fairly small in size, which may take some extra effort.
Step 5: Return the chopped vegetables, cooked pancetta, and white wine to the skillet. Stir and allow the wine to deglaze the pan, loosening browned bits from the bottom.
Step 6: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth.
Step 7: Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
Step 8: During the last 15 minutes of cooking, stir in the whole milk. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm over your favorite pasta.

Tips & Variations

For extra depth, try adding a splash of heavy cream instead of milk.
Use a combination of ground veal and pork if you prefer a more traditional meat blend.
Simmering the sauce low and slow is key—don’t rush the process to develop rich flavors.
If you don’t have pancetta, thick-cut bacon can be a substitute, but reduce salt accordingly.
For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the meat.

Storage

Store leftover Bolognese sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze, place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, adding a splash of broth or water if needed to loosen the sauce.

How to Serve

A blue cast iron pan filled with thick red tomato sauce mixed with browned ground meat, showing a rich and slightly chunky texture. The sauce has small green herb pieces scattered on top and a swirl pattern in the middle made by a wooden spoon resting in the pan from the right side. The edges of the pan show some sauce splatter, and fresh green basil leaves are visible on the top right corner sitting on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and pork?

Yes, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version, but the sauce will have a different texture and flavor. Consider adding extra seasoning and a bit of fat like olive oil to keep it moist.

Is it necessary to add milk to the sauce?

Adding milk helps to soften the acidity of the tomatoes and tenderize the meat, resulting in a smoother, richer sauce. While it’s traditional, you can omit it if you prefer, but the flavor and texture may change slightly.