Updated: July 28, 2025 • Ten-minute read (closet, nutrition, quiz, rating).
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Why prepare your homemade Bolognese sauce?
Bolognese sauce is much more than just a pasta side dish: it's a celebration of Italian cuisine, an invitation to travel, and a true joy to share. Preparing your sauce at home means mastering each step, feeling the aromas evolve as it cooks, playing with the flavors according to your desires, and above all, delighting everyone around the table. Say goodbye to overly salty and bland industrial preparations: here, you choose good products, adjust the taste at each step, and obtain a rich, creamy, generously flavored sauce that enhances spaghetti, lasagna, or aubergine gratin.
Nutritionally, homemade Bolognese is balanced: protein from the meat, fiber from the vegetables, lycopene from the tomatoes (a natural antioxidant), but also light carbohydrates and good fats if you use quality olive oil. It's the perfect recipe for batch cooking: a large pot on Sunday and varied meals all week long.
Want to shine at a dinner party or wow the kids with a dish that everyone loves? Bolognese sauce is the perfect comfort food, adaptable to all budgets and all seasons. Ready to become a ragù maestro? 🇮🇹
Ingredients and choice of meat
Serves six to eight. Adjust quantities using the buttons below. Ingredients are selected to combine authenticity and convenience; you can order the finest fresh, organic produce in just a few clicks on Neary.
Tip: choose minced meat that is not too lean to keep the sauce moist, and a ripe tomato or organic pulp for an intense flavor.
fresh tomatoes
organic tomato sauce
ground beef
sausage meat
yellow onions
carrots
garlic
olive oil
fresh herbs (basil, thyme)
fine salt
pepper mill
Quick substitutions : beef → veal or ground poultry, tomato sauce → tomato pulp or peeled tomatoes, fresh herbs → dried herbs, olive oil → mild rapeseed oil.
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Nutrition and calorie profile
Step-by-step preparation
- Prepare the base : peel and dice the carrots, onions, and garlic. Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan.
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Sweat the vegetables : Sauté the onions, carrots and garlic over medium heat until tender and golden.
- Brown the meat : Add the ground beef and sausage meat. Crumble well with a spoon. Brown until lightly browned.
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Deglaze : If desired, add a little red wine to loosen the juices (option for purists). Let it evaporate.
- Add tomatoes and sauce : Stir in freshly chopped tomatoes and tomato sauce. Mix well.
- Season : Add salt, pepper, and herbs to taste. Stir and bring to a gentle boil.
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Simmer : half cover, let simmer over low heat for at least forty minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Finish : taste, adjust the seasoning, add the chopped fresh herbs just before serving.
Little Bolognese Quiz
Gourmet variations to explore
Veggie version : replace the meat with cooked brown lentils or vegetable mince, boost with a hint of soy sauce for the umami taste.
Mushroom : Add sliced brown mushrooms along with the vegetables for a woody note and a melt-in-the-mouth texture.
With red wine : deglaze the meat with a dash of full-bodied red wine, let it evaporate for a richer sauce.
Ultra fast : Use Neary's organic beef heart tomato sauce to save time, just add meat and herbs.
Meat-free : discover legume bolognese (lentils, chickpeas) for an economical and nutritious dish.
Conservation and batch cooking
Bolognese sauce loves batch cooking! Prepare a large batch and store it in an airtight container for up to four days in the refrigerator, or in the freezer for up to three months. To reheat, use a saucepan over low heat, adding a little water if necessary.
Tip: Divide the sauce into small pots to improvise lasagna, zucchini gratins or even croques à la bolognese during the week.
Service and support ideas
- Serve with spaghetti, tagliatelle or homemade gnocchi for a delicious pasta experience.
- Gratine on eggplant or zucchini for a complete dish.
- Make a quick shepherd's pie by alternating mashed potatoes and Bolognese sauce.
- Dip it into wheat pancakes for an Italian-style wrap version.
- Use it to top a rustic pizza or appetizer bruschettas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the sauce be prepared the day before?
Yes, it's even better reheated: the flavors develop overnight.
How to thicken the sauce?
Simmer without a lid, or add a spoonful of tomato paste.
Is sausage meat absolutely necessary?
No, it adds softness, but you can do without it or replace it with ground veal.
Can we make a gluten-free version?
The sauce itself is gluten-free; serve with gluten-free pasta or rice.
Chef's Tips
- For a glossy sauce, add a knob of butter at the end of cooking.
- Blend some of the sauce for a smoother texture that kids love.
- Simmer for a long time: the gentler and longer the cooking, the more flavorful the sauce.
- Add a dash of whole milk to soften the acidity of the tomato (secretly used in Bologna!).
- For a quick sauce, use a smoothie blender to quickly mix the vegetables into a base.
Smart budget and inspirations
Homemade Bolognese sauce is extremely economical, especially with seasonal vegetables and local ground beef. To keep costs down, opt for beef and vegetables or choose a vegetarian option: you'll get a generous portion for less than two euros per serving. Also check out our air fryer comparisons to revisit Bolognese gratins without a traditional oven.
To learn more, explore the Wikipedia page on Bolognese sauce or discover the Neary barbecue and grill range to add a twist to the sauce to accompany grilled vegetables.
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