Name: Rustic Bolognese-Style Meat Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup); 2 medium carrots, finely diced (about 3/4 cup); 2 celery stalks, finely diced (about 1/2 cup); 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef; 1/2 lb (225 g) ground veal or lamb (optional for depth); 1 tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp dried oregano; 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional); 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 can (28 oz/800 g) crushed tomatoes; 1 cup low-sodium beef or vegetable broth; 1/2 cup whole milk or evaporated milk; 1 bay leaf; 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil (or 1 tsp dried); 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley; Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving; Cooked pasta or roasted vegetables, for serving

Rustic Bolognese-Style Meat Sauce

This meat sauce recipe yields a rich, savory Bolognese with tender ground beef, aromatic soffritto, and a slow-simmered tomato base. Ready in under an hour, it’s perfect tossed with pasta or spooned over roasted vegetables.

⏱

Prep Time 15 min

🔥

Cook Time 30 min

⏰

Total Time 45 min

👥

Servings 4

⭐

Difficulty Easy

Instructions

1
Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and sauté until softened and translucent, about 6–8 minutes.
2
Step 2: Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Push the vegetables to the side and add the ground beef (and ground veal or lamb if using). Break the meat up with a spoon and brown until no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes.
3
Step 3: Season the meat and vegetables with salt, pepper, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook 1–2 minutes to deepen its flavor.
4
Step 4: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the bay leaf and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
5
Step 5: Reduce heat to low and stir in the milk. Simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and flavors have melded. If the sauce reduces too much, add a splash more broth.
6
Step 6: Remove the bay leaf, stir in fresh basil and parsley, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
7
Step 7: Serve the meat sauce over hot cooked pasta or roasted vegetables and finish with freshly grated Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

💡 tips

For deeper flavor, brown the meat well and use a splash of beef broth instead of water. Let the sauce rest off heat for 10 minutes before serving to let flavors settle. Make extra and freeze in portions for quick meals.

🔄 substitutions

Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. Use canned diced tomatoes and pulse briefly if you prefer a chunkier texture. Replace milk with a splash of cream or more broth if dairy-free.