Bolognese Sauce (Ground Meat Sauce)
A classic, hearty Italian Bolognese sauce made with lean ground beef, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and fragrant herbs. Simmered slowly to develop rich flavor, this versatile meat sauce pairs perfectly with pasta, lasagna, or even as a topping for baked potatoes. Easy to prepare and great for meal prep—freezer-friendly and full of comforting goodness.
Servings 6
Calories 141kcal
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 500 g lean ground beef
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 large onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 tsp dried parsley or 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 2 tsp dried basil or ½ bunch fresh basil chopped
- 2 tsp dried oregano or ½ bunch fresh oregano chopped
- 800 g whole Italian tomatoes, drained 2 cans
- 400 ml diced tomatoes can
- 1 tsp sugar
Instructions
👨🍳 Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy pan over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and salt. Cook for 3–5 minutes until browned, breaking it up with a fork.
- Remove the meat with a slotted spoon and set it aside.
- In the same pan, sauté the onion and garlic for about 5 minutes. If the beef was very lean, add 1 tsp of oil.
- Stir in parsley, basil, and oregano. Cook for 1 more minute.
- Return beef to the pan. Add the whole tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and sugar.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Notes
Notes
- Sweetness Tip: Sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes. Alternatively, add 125 g finely chopped carrots with the onions.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container for 3–5 days in the fridge or up to 1 month in the freezer.
Nutrition
Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 249mg | Potassium: 294mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 0.1IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 2mg