This Best Bolognese Sauce recipe is a meaty mushroom version of the savory, classic meat-based sauce that originated in Bologna, Italy. Also known as ragù alla bolognese, or sometimes just ragù, this slow-cooked labor of love is made with a trio of meats and a classic soffritto.
1ouncesdried porcini mushrooms, rehydrated in warm water for 30 minutes, then dried and chopped
½teaspoonsalt
¼teaspoonblack pepper
1mediumyellow onion, chopped
2carrots, chopped
2celery stalks, chopped
5clovesgarlic, minced
1cupwhite wine
2(28 ounce) canscrushed tomatoes
1(28 ounce) cantomato puree
2cupsmilk
2bay leaves
1bunchfresh thyme
Flat-leaf Italian parsley, chopped
Parmesan cheese
Fresh tagliatelle pasta (if available)
Instructions
Heat a large dutch oven or heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, and add 1 tablespoon of the oil. When hot, add the ground beef, ground pork, pancetta and chopped mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper. Brown, breaking up the meat and cooking until the mushrooms are cooked and the meat is no longer pink. Transfer the meat to a separate bowl and drain the grease from the pan.
To make the soffritto, reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the dutch oven. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and mix together, cooking until the vegetables are soft begin to caramelize, about 10-15 minutes.
Add the garlic to the vegetables and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
Add the wine to the soffritto and cook for 3 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan, until slightly reduced.
Return the browned mushrooms and meat to the pan, then add in the crushed tomatoes, tomatoe puree, milk, bay leaves and thyme. Stir to combine, then bring to a simmer. Reduce meat to low and partially cover the dutch oven with a lid. Simmer for 4 hours, stirring frequently.
When the sauce has thickened, remove the bay leaves and thyme sprigs, then taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt if needed.
When the sauce is ready, bring a large pot of water to a boil and season generously with salt. Add the fresh pasta and cook for just 2–3 minutes. Drain the pasta, then return to the pan and toss with however much bolognese sauce you would like. Remaining sauce freezes and reheats well and can be used in lasagna bolognese. Garnished with chopped Italian parsley and Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Red wine can be used, but white is traditional. If you don't want to cook with wine at all, you can replace the wine with chicken or beef stock.