Country-Style Bolognese Sauce

This Country-Style Bolognese Sauce is a deep, hearty masterpiece that elevates any pasta dish. It combines savory chopped bacon with lean ground beef, creating a luxurious texture and complex flavor profile. The base of finely chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and celery (the classic soffritto) cooks down until sweet and tender. Deglazed with dry white wine and enriched with broth, the sauce simmers slowly for hours, allowing the tomatoes, oregano, and a hint of nutmeg to meld into a cohesive, velvety consistency. It is perfect for lazy Sunday dinners or freezing for busy weeknights. The result is a robust, aromatic sauce that tastes like it has been cooking all day, offering a comforting, home-style warmth that pairs beautifully with pappardelle or spaghetti.

Cooking Method: Frying, Stewing

Cuisine: Italian

Courses: Sauces & Condiments

Difficulty: Advanced

Servings: 1

Calories: 170.2

Dietary: Gluten-free

Description

This Country-Style Bolognese Sauce is a deep, hearty masterpiece that elevates any pasta dish. It combines savory chopped bacon with lean ground beef, creating a luxurious texture and complex flavor profile. The base of finely chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and celery (the classic soffritto) cooks down until sweet and tender. Deglazed with dry white wine and enriched with broth, the sauce simmers slowly for hours, allowing the tomatoes, oregano, and a hint of nutmeg to meld into a cohesive, velvety consistency. It is perfect for lazy Sunday dinners or freezing for busy weeknights. The result is a robust, aromatic sauce that tastes like it has been cooking all day, offering a comforting, home-style warmth that pairs beautifully with pappardelle or spaghetti.

Ingredients

1/4 pound Bacon -- chopped
1 md Onion -- finely chopped
6 Cloves Garlic -- finely

Directions

1
In a small skillet, fry the chopped bacon over medium heat until it is leathery but not yet crisp.
2
Drain off excess fat as it accumulates, then remove the bacon and place it on paper towels to drain.
3
Roll the paper towels around the bacon and squeeze gently to absorb remaining fat, then set the bacon aside.
4
Heat olive oil in a deep, heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat.
5
Add the finely chopped onion, carrot, celery, and garlic, cooking and stirring until the vegetables are soft and translucent.
6
Add the ground beef, using a wooden spoon to break it up, and cook just until it loses its raw red color without browning.
7
Stir in the cooked bacon, chicken or beef broth, and dry white wine, raising the heat to bring to a simmer.
8
Cook briefly until the liquid reduces slightly and the sauce thickens.
9
Add the canned tomatoes (undrained), tomato paste, salt, pepper, oregano, red pepper flakes, and nutmeg, stirring well to combine.
10
Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary.
11
Once the sauce begins to bubble, lower the heat to a very gentle simmer.
12
Cover the pot partially and simmer slowly for about 4 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
13
Before serving, taste again and adjust salt and pepper to your preference.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 1

Amount Per Serving
Calories 170.2kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 12.0g19%
Saturated Fat 4.0g20%
Cholesterol 13.1mg5%
Sodium 489.0mg21%
Total Carbohydrate 4.2g2%
Dietary Fiber 0.5g2%
Sugars 1.2g
Protein 11.1g23%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: bolognese, ragu, beef, bacon, tomato sauce, italian, pasta sauce, simmered, comfort food, ground beef, slow cooked, homemade, meat sauce, classic, herbs, garlic, onion, wine, dinner, meal prep

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/country-style-bolognese-sauce/