Simple Bolognese Sauce
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Last Updated on June 8, 2020 by Lisa Johnson
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.
Just look at that thick, delicious sauce!
Ingredients needed to make this recipe
- Chopped onion
- Minced garlic
- Ground beef
- Tomato puree
- Beef stock
- Italian parsley
- Fresh basil
- Black pepper
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.
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.
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
Enjoy!!
Simple Bolognese Sauce
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