Description
A rich and comforting classic meat bolognese sauce made with ground beef, fresh vegetables, smooth tomato puree, and a gentle simmered base. Finished with a touch of milk for creaminess, this slow cooked pasta sauce offers deep flavor and a velvety texture.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small or medium carrot finely chopped
1 small celery stalk finely chopped
1 small onion finely chopped
10½ ounces ground beef
½ cup apple cider vinegar or grape juice
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2¼ cups tomato puree
2 to 3 pinches salt
2 dashes black pepper
1 to 2 whole bay leaves
⅓ cup milk
Instructions
1. Cut the carrot celery and onion very fine so they soften evenly without turning mushy while cooking.
2. Warm the olive oil in a heavy pot then add the chopped vegetables and cook on low heat until the onion becomes clear while stirring occasionally.
3. Increase the heat to medium and add the ground beef breaking it into small pieces as it browns to develop deeper flavor.
4. Turn the heat to high and pour in the apple cider vinegar or grape juice letting it bubble until it evaporates and blends with the browned meat.
5. Lower the heat to medium low then add the tomato paste tomato puree salt pepper and bay leaves stirring well to combine everything into a smooth base.
6. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting cover the pot and let the sauce simmer gently for about three hours while stirring occasionally to build rich texture.
7. Remove the bay leaves and pour in the milk then warm the sauce for a few minutes until fully blended before serving over cooked pasta.
Notes
Milk softens the acidity of the tomatoes and provides a gentle creaminess that coats pasta beautifully especially when using dry pasta varieties.
Apple cider vinegar or grape juice adds bright depth to the sauce without overpowering the natural sweetness of the carrots onions and tomatoes.
A slow simmer on very low heat creates the silky meat texture that classic bolognese is known for keeping the sauce rich without boiling.
Season thoughtfully throughout the process since tomatoes vary in sweetness and intensity and adjust salt and pepper to match the flavor profile you prefer.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Main Dish, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian