Description
This classic Bolognese sauce recipe features a rich and hearty blend of ground beef, ground pork, pancetta, and aromatic vegetables, slowly simmered with crushed tomatoes, white wine, chicken broth, and finished with whole milk. Perfect for pairing with your favorite pasta, this sauce delivers deep, layered flavors and a satisfying texture that’s ideal for cozy family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 small carrots, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
Meats
- 8 ounces pancetta
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1 pound ground pork
Liquids and Others
- 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
- Prepare the vegetables: In a food processor, add the chopped carrots, onion, celery, and garlic. Pulse until crossly chopped, being careful not to overprocess into mush. Remove and set aside on a plate.
- Chop the pancetta: Add the pancetta to the food processor and pulse until it is coarsely chopped.
- Cook the pancetta: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped pancetta and cook for 5-6 minutes, until it starts to crisp. Remove from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Brown the ground meats: In the same skillet, add the ground beef and ground pork. Cook over medium-high heat while crumbling with a spatula until fully cooked and browned, breaking it into small pieces.
- Add vegetables and deglaze: Return the chopped vegetables and cooked pancetta to the skillet with the meats. Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Add tomatoes and broth: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 2 hours. This slow cooking allows flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken significantly.
- Finish with milk and seasoning: In the last 15 minutes of cooking, stir in the whole milk. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well and cook until heated through.
- Serve: Serve the Bolognese sauce warm over your favorite pasta or use in recipes calling for rich meat sauce.
Notes
- For best flavor, simmer the sauce gently and avoid boiling vigorously.
- Using a combination of ground beef and pork adds depth and richness.
- The milk added at the end helps soften the acidity of the tomatoes and adds creaminess.
- This sauce can be made ahead and tastes even better the next day.
- Freeze leftovers in portions for easy future meals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Bolognese, meat sauce, Italian sauce, pasta sauce, ground beef, pork, pancetta, slow simmered sauce
