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Simple Bolognese Sauce

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This Simple Bolognese Sauce is a classic Italian meat sauce that is delicious on top of your favorite pasta, or inside lasagna. It is made with basic ingredients and creates a hearty meal that the entire family will love!

While the original is cooked for hours over low heat, this version is ready in much less time.

Spaghetti noodles topped with Simple Bolognese Sauce and grated Parmesan cheese.

You know what would be perfect with this meal? An easy homemade Italian Bread recipe to sop up all that thick, delicious sauce!

Ingredients

  • Chopped onion
  • Minced garlic
  • Ground beef
  • Tomato puree
  • Beef stock
  • Italian parsley
  • Fresh basil 
  • Black pepper

Check out the printable recipe card below for the complete recipe and detailed instructions.

A large white pan filled with simple bolognese sauce and topped with chopped parsley.

How to make Simple Bolognese Sauce

Heat a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and chopped onions. Cook until the begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for one additional minute.

Cooked, diced onions in a Dutch oven.

Add the ground beef and cook, stirring, until browned.

Browned ground beef and onions in a Dutch oven.

Pour in the beef stock and tomato puree.

Tomato puree and beef stock added to the ground beef.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat a bit and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until sauce begins to thicken.

Meat sauce simmering in a Dutch oven.

Stir in the parsley, pepper and basil.

Italian parsley and pepper added to the tomato sauce.

Serve immediately over pasta or in Lasagna

Spaghetti and meat sauce topped with Parmesan cheese in a white bowl.

It is even more delicious when served with shaved Parmesan cheese!

Recipe Notes

  • If tomato puree is not available, substitute crushed tomatoes.
  • The flavors will develop overnight if chilled and reheated before serving.
  • This sauce is perfect served with leftovers.
  • Taste sauce and adjust seasonings as needed. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar if needed to balance the flavors.

Canned tomatoes can have a slightly bitter/tinny flavor to them. Sugar or one grated carrot can be used to add sweetness. Cook the carrot with the onions if using.

More delicious sauce recipes

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Enjoy!!

Spaghetti noodles topped with Simple Bolognese Sauce and grated Parmesan cheese.

Simple Bolognese Sauce

Simple Bolognese Sauce is a classic Italian meat sauce that is easy to prepare, packed with flavor and the perfect sauce to top your favorite pasta.
4.67 from 3 votes
Print Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: tomatoes, onion, parsley, basil, classic, simple, sauce, recipe, garlic
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 523kcal
Author: Lisa Johnson

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 2 large cloves garlic minced
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 cup beef stock or broth
  • 56 ounces tomato puree 2 – 28 ounce cans
  • ¼ cup Italian parsley chopped
  • 10 fresh basil leaves chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried
  • ½ teaspoon course black pepper

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and chopped onions. Cook until the begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for one additional minute.
  • Add the ground beef and cook, stirring, until browned.
  • Pour in the beef stock and tomato puree.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat a bit and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until sauce begins to thicken.
  • Stir in the parsley, pepper and basil. Serve immediately over pasta or in Lasagna

Notes

  • If tomato puree is not available, substitute crushed tomatoes.
  • The flavors will develop overnight if chilled and reheated before serving.
  • This sauce is perfect served with leftovers.
  • Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed. Add 1 Tablespoon of sugar if needed to balance the flavors.

Nutrition

Calories: 523kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 257mg | Potassium: 1694mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 1595IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 8mg

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