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Easy Bolognese spaghetti with parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

The BEST Bolognese-Style Meat Sauce

This Bolognese-style meat sauce combines ground beef and pork with aromatic vegetables and rich tomato flavors, creating a comforting and delicious meal everyone will love.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Deborah Rainford

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef, or a mix of ½ pound ground beef and ½ pound ground pork
  • 3 medium carrots, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 24 ounces passata, *Or use crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Heat a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat.
  • Add the olive oil to the pan and cook the ground beef (or beef and pork mix) until browned. Remove the meat to a bowl and set aside. Drain any excess fat from the pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
  • Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and translucent. Stir in the cinnamon, dried oregano, dried basil, and tomato paste. Cook for 2 minutes, taking care not to let the tomato paste burn.
  • Return the cooked meat to the pan and add the passata. Season the sauce with the red pepper flakes, brown sugar, and balsamic vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Simmer the sauce for about 20 minutes, until thick and rich. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve with your favorite pasta and bread.

Notes

  • Meat Variation: You can mix ground beef and pork for a richer flavor, or stick to just ground beef if preferred.
  • Vegetable Prep: Finely chopping the vegetables ensures they blend seamlessly into the sauce, adding flavor and texture.
  • Tomato Paste: Cooking the tomato paste briefly before adding other liquids helps to deepen its flavor.
  • Simmer Time: Allowing the sauce to simmer helps meld all the flavors together. If you have more time, letting it cook longer on low heat will enhance the taste even further.
  • Serving Suggestion: This sauce pairs beautifully with spaghetti, tagliatelle, or pappardelle. Top with freshly grated Parmesan for an extra touch of indulgence.

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 88mg | Potassium: 333mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2740IU | Vitamin C: 3.5mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1.3mg
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