One of my favorite foods ever is a good pasta bolognese! I am always on the hunt for authentic Italian cuisine and recipes. If you are like me, I promise you will love this pasta bolognese sauce recipe, with its one secret ingredient that makes this the sweetest and savory bolognese yet!
What is Bolognese?
Bolognese refers to a traditional Italian meat-based sauce that originated in Bologna, Italy. It typically includes ingredients like ground meat (often a combination of different meat types), tomatoes, onions, wine, and various seasonings.
Jump to RecipeAbout This Bolognese Recipe
This pasta bolognese recipe is so simple to make. Every time I serve it or bring it over to a friend’s house, they always ask for the recipe. It is certainly a crowd-pleaser for any event.
This is our go-to recipe during the winter months at our home in Vermont. And on cozy snow days in front of a fire in the fireplace during snow days on the Seacoast.
All the ingredients are simple enough to find at any local supermarket. Therefore, there is no special shopping required.
I do highly recommend upgrading the parmesan cheese versus the off-the-shelf products, though. You can usually find this in the cheese or deli section of your local supermarket.
There is one special ingredient that makes this bolognese unique from any other. And that magic ingredient is cinnamon. A simple teaspoon of cinnamon makes this bolognese recipe so sweet and savory, that you will be wanting seconds and looking forward to leftovers. It’s out of this world delicious!
Make a large batch and freeze the remaining bolognese in freezer lock bags for all of your cozy winter snow days ahead.
La Cocotte Staub Pot
To begin with, I use this La Cocotte Staub pot. Almost any pot will do. However, I do like the cast iron inside for cooking the meat.
This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.
How to Cook This Bolognese
Combine the hamburg, sausage, and chopped onion and cook over medium heat for approximately 6 minutes, mincing it all together as it cooks, creating this pasta bolognese.
From here, you will add the milk, red cooking wine, bouillon cubes, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, bay leaves, and the secret ingredient, Cinnamon. See below for the full cooking pasta bolognese instruction recipe guide!
The thick and meaty texture of this bolognese sauce clings to the pasta, creating a satisfying and comforting dish.
While the traditional Bolognese recipe has its roots in Italian culinary tradition, variations and adaptations exist worldwide. Home cooks often personalize the sauce by experimenting with different herbs, spices, and additional ingredients to suit their taste preferences, like the cinnamon we are using here today in this easy and authentic pasta bolognese sauce recipe.
Bon Appetit’
Easy and Authentic Pasta Bolognese Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef 85%
- 1/2 lb Spicey Ground Sausage
- 1 Cup Milk
- 1/2 White or Sweet Onion Chopped
- 3 Beef Bullion Cubes
- 3/4 Cup Red Cooking Wine
- 1 28 Ounce Can Petite Diced Tomatoes
- 1 16 Ounce Can Plain Tomato Paste
- 1 tsp Cinnamon Add More as Needed
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1 Pound Spaghetti
- Salt & Pepper To Taste
- Parmesan Cheese To Taste
- 2 tbsp Parsley For Garnish
Instructions
- Boil water for pasta and cook pasta according to the package instructions.
- Combine the hamburg, sausage and chopped onion into the pot and cook over medium heat for approximately 6 minutes until cooked through, mincing it all together as it cooks.
- Add the milk and simmer for about 5 minutes until it evaporates.
- Add red cooking wine and beef bouillion and simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Add a can of petite diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaves, and the secret ingredient, cinnamon.
- Turn the stove down to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Do not cover.
- Stir occassionally.
- Taste and add more cinnamon to your liking.
- Spoon bolognese sauce over your favorite pasta and top with parmesan cheese and parsley. Enjoy!
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
In summary, Bolognese is a timeless Italian sauce celebrated for its rich flavor profile, adaptability, and its ability to transform a simple bowl of pasta into a wholesome and satisfying meal.
Get inspired by one of these table settings to accompany your bolognese feast too.
I’ve created the above custom pin just for this post! Hearing from you makes my day, and your comments mean so much to me! Please join me over on Instagram & Pinterest to see more!
