Rustic Bolognese
Enjoy the comforting taste of our Rustic Bolognese sauce, a family favourite that’s perfect for any occasion. This rich and hearty sauce is made with tender meats, fragrant herbs, and savoury tomatoes, all slow-cooked to perfection. It’s the kind of dish that fills the house with warmth and pairs beautifully with spaghetti, lasagna, or your favorite pasta. Whether you’re cooking for a special dinner or a cozy weeknight meal, this Bolognese sauce is sure to satisfy everyone at the table.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 bay leaf
- Olive oil
- ⅔-1 cup onion finely chopped
- ½ cup celery finely chopped
- ½ cup carrot finely chopped
- 5 med-large cloves garlic (minced)
- 1-1½ pound ground beef
- ½-1 teaspoon Salt adjust to taste
- Black pepper (freshly ground)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½-1 teaspoon baking soda see note #4
- ⅛ – ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg adjust to taste
- ⅛ – ¼ tablespoons cinnamon adjust to taste
- 1-2 table spoons fresh chopped basil or 1-2 teaspoons of dried basil optional
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 can diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for serving
- Pasta of your choice or fresh Homemade Pasta (See note #1)
- Chili flakes for serving
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent.
- Once the onions are translucent, stir in the chopped celery, carrot, and minced garlic. Cook for about 2 minutes.
- Add the ground beef, and season with salt, and pepper.
- Crumble the meat with a fork or wooden spoon and cook until the beef starts to brown.
- Add the garlic powder, grated nutmeg and cinnamon and mix well.
- Add the white wine and simmer until it evaporates.
- Then add the canned tomatoes with their juice and crushed tomatoes. Stir well to coat all ingredients.
- Add the bay leaf, basil (if using) and baking soda ¼ teaspoon at a time (mix well and taste in between) until the the acidity has balanced.
- Reduce the heat to the lowest setting so the sauce simmers slowly, (with just occasional bubbles.)
- Cook uncovered for at 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- The sauce should have thickened at this point
- Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Serve the Rustic Bolognese sauce over the cooked pasta, garnished with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese & chili flakes for a little extra kick.
Notes
- Baking Soda Trick: To balance acidity in the sauce, use ¼–½ teaspoon of baking soda for every 3½ cups of sauce. Add it ¼ teaspoon at a time, tasting and adjusting as needed. Baking soda is an effective alternative to sugar for reducing acidity in tomato-based sauces and soups.
- Refrigerator Storage: Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer Storage: Once the sauce has cooled completely, transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Don’t forget to Label the container with the date and contents for easy identification.
- Thawing and Reheating: Thaw the sauce overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
Tried this recipe?
Mention @thewifewiththeknife or tag #wifewiththeknife
Mention @thewifewiththeknife or tag #wifewiththeknife
2 responses to “Rustic Bolognese”
Tried this recipe in lasagna, and it was a huge win, keeping this recipe in my books.
That’s the sauce i use in my lasagna too!
Thanks for trying this recipe!