Giada’s Simple Bolognese Recipe

This classic bolognese recipe offers a harmonious fusion of richly flavored meats handcrafted with aromatic vegetables, white wine and whole milk, slow simmered to perfection, providing a genuinely comforting dish. Perfect for pasta nights, it’s a family favorite and a reliable go-to meal. Enjoy a taste of home. Truly heartwarming.

Giada’s Simple Bolognese has been a total staple in my house for years and it’s honestly one of my favorite quick dishes to whip up. I first made it for Jade and now we always keep a big batch in the fridge.

This recipe is really nutritious too with a good mix of high-quality protein from ground beef and Italian pork sausage and even a bit of healthy fats from extra virgin olive oil and unsalted butter. The dish is boosted by fresh veggies like a finely chopped medium yellow onion, a diced carrot and a celery stalk, along with minced garlic for that extra punch of flavor.

I love deglazing the pan with a splash of dry white wine which helps lift off all the savory bits from the meat. The end result is a hearty pasta dinner that honors a classic Pasta Italiana style without any fuss and it’s perfect for Salad Pasta nights and quick weeknight meals!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe because it always makes me feel like I’m coming home when I cook it. The mix of ground beef, sausage, and veggies creates a really comforting and hearty flavor that makes every bite feel special. I also like that I can make a double batch and save it in the fridge for busy nights when I dont have time to cook a full meal. Plus, Jade adores it so making it makes me feel like I’m doing something that brings our family together, even when I mess up a bit along the way.

Ingredients

• Extra virgin olive oil offers healthy fats, improves flavor, and is good for your heart.
• Unsalted butter adds creaminess, helps sear veggies and lock in flavor.
• Yellow onion provides natural sweetness, crunchy texture, and a bit of fiber.
• Garlic packs a punch, boosts aroma and is known for its immune perks.
• Ground beef loads protein and rich flavor but sometimes adds extra fat.
• Italian pork sausage brings spice and robust taste, mixing well with beef.
• Whole milk adds creaminess, mellows tomato acidity and creates a balanced dish.
• Whole peeled tomatoes supply tangy acidity, natural sweetness and are packed with vitamins.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled and diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound Italian pork sausage, casings removed
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 cup whole milk
• 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

How to Make this

1. Heat the olive oil and unsalted butter in a large pot over medium heat until the butter melts.

2. Add the chopped yellow onion, diced carrot, and diced celery. Cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to get soft.

3. Mix in the minced garlic and let it cook for about 1 minute until it smells really good.

4. Crumble in the ground beef and Italian pork sausage. Cook until the meat is browned and no longer pink, breaking it up as you do so.

5. Pour in the dry white wine and stir well, scraping any bits off the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for a few minutes until mostly reduced.

6. Stir in the whole milk and let it simmer for around 2 minutes so the flavors can meld together.

7. Add the hand-crushed whole peeled tomatoes with all the juices to the pot. Mix everything together nicely.

8. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste.

9. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for about 1 to 2 hours, stirring every now and then so nothing sticks to the bottom.

10. Once thickened and full of flavor, taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve it over your favorite pasta or store for quick meals during the week.

Equipment Needed

1. A large pot
2. A knife
3. A cutting board
4. Measuring cups and spoons
5. A wooden spoon for stirring
6. A can opener

FAQ

Giada’s Simple Bolognese Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have extra virgin olive oil, you can use canola or veggie oil instead
• If unsalted butter is missing, try using salted butter but reduce the added salt in the recipe a bit
• You can replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken if you want a lighter version
• For Italian pork sausage, ground pork mixed with a pinch of fennel seed works pretty well
• If you run out of whole peeled tomatoes, canned diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes will do

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you heat the oil and butter long enough before adding your veggies so they soften properly and don’t get burnt, cause that burning really messes up the flavor.
2. When browning the meat, break it up into small, even chunks as you cook it, so it cooks evenly and you get a richer taste from all the little browned bits.
3. Don’t be afraid to really scrape the bottom of the pot when you add the wine. Those stuck-on bits hold tons of flavor and they dissolve into the sauce when you stir them in.
4. Let the sauce simmer really low and slow for at least an hour. Patience here pays off, because a long simmer gives the flavors more time to meld together perfectly.