This Spaghetti ala Bolonesa recipe is a delicious and flavorful bolognese recipe! Each bite is filled with rich meat and tomato flavor that your family will love.
This is a really special recipe that we make on special occasions or celebrations.
Recipe Inspiration
This Spaghetti ala Bolonesa is one of my signature dishes. I've developed it though years of testing different methods.
I've visited Italy twice - and on my first trip, I was enthralled with bolognese sauce. I loved how each region of the country had a different spin on the sauce based on local produce and the animals in the region.
My version of the sauce has pork and beef, as well as some tomato for flavor. Each bite is truly so delicious that you won't want to stop eating it!
For more Italian pasta recipes, check out our Pesto Rosso, Penne Pomodoro, and Spaghetti Arrabiata.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Delicious - This recipe is authentically delicious. Each bite is packed with flavor that your family will truly love.
Approachable - Even though this recipe takes a while to make, the steps are very simple and approachable for all levels of home cooks.
Versatile - You can use the sauce in this recipe as a base for lasagna or other pasta dishes. I like to make a double batch and freeze half to have this sauce on hand!
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this recipe:
- Olive Oil - Use a good quality of olive oil, it will make a huge difference in the taste of the sauce
- Celery - Chopped
- Carrots - Chopped
- White Onion - Chopped
- Pancetta - Diced. Pancetta will often come in pre-diced packs. Or, ask your deli counter for pancetta.
- Salt and pepper
- Ground Pork - Or ground Italian Sausage
- Ground Beef - use 80/20 or 85/15 fat content
- Red Wine - Use any mild red that you enjoy. Or, you can also use white wine
- Chicken Stock - Good quality
- Tomato Paste
- Unsalted Butter
- Whole Milk
- Grated Parmesan - freshly grated is preferred
- Spaghetti - Use a good quality spaghetti
Step by Step Directions
Let's make this recipe together!
Recipe Video
Step 1
Heat a large dutch oven over medium heat. Add olive oil, celery, carrots, onion, salt, and pepper.
Cook vegetables on medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. You really want to sweat out the vegetables, so don't rush this step!
Step 2
Add pancetta. Cook with the vegetables for 10 minutes.
Step 3
Add pork, beef, and wine. Stir very well, breaking up all of the meat in very small pieces. This is super important!
Simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 4
Add chicken stock and tomato paste. Stir well and simmer for 20-30 minutes, until reduced.
Step 5
Remove the sauce from heat and stir in butter, milk, and parmesan.
Step 6
Cook spaghetti until al dente. Drain and toss spaghetti with bolognese sauce. Serve with more parmesan cheese.
Expert Tips
Here are some expert tips to make this delicious recipe perfect.
Make Sauce Ahead - This sauce actually tastes better the next day. Time in the fridge helps the flavors marry together, making the bolognese sauce even better the next day. Make ahead and enjoy the rich flavors the next day.
Don't Rush - This sauce is so delicious because of the time it takes to cook. Don't rush timing on the steps of the recipe, or else the flavors will not be as rich.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this recipe. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
Dutch Oven - You'll want a good quality Dutch Oven for this recipe. This brand is timeless and will last for decades.
Serving Bowl - I love serving this Spaghetti ala Bolonesa in a large Pasta Bowl.
Good Quality Spaghetti - This Spaghetti brand is one of my favorites - the quality is incredible and the flavor is delicious!
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this easy recipe.
Meat Variation - You can use all pork or all beef for this recipe, depending on your preference.
Wine Substitution - You can use red or white wine for this recipe. If you don't drink wine, you can substitute it for more chicken stock.
Pasta Variation - You can serve any pasta shape with this sauce. Some of my favorites are rigatoni or mini shells!
Frequently Asked Questions
Bolognese is an Italian meat sauce that is made with beef, pork, and just a little tomato. The focus of the sauce is the meat, unlike other sauces, which have the sauce base as the primary focus of the dish with meat added.
Bolognese sauce is typically made with ground beef, ground pork, or a mixture of both meats.
Adding milk to the sauce adds in a rich and delicious flavor to bolognese. You will only need a small amount of milk or cream, but it adds creamy texture and flavor to the dish.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this recipe.
Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight continuer and eat leftovers within 4-5 days.
Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed below.
Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat this recipe is to heat in a skillet with a little olive oil over low heat until warm.
Other Recipes to Try
Spaghetti ala Bolonesa
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1 cup carrots chopped
- 1 cup white onion chopped
- 4 oz pancetta diced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 oz red wine
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 12 oz tomato paste
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp whole milk
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- 1 lb spaghetti
Instructions
- Heat a large dutch oven over medium heat. Add olive oil, celery, carrots, onion, salt, and pepper. Cook vegetables on medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add pancetta to the pot. Cook with the vegetables for 10 minutes.
- Add the pork, beef, and wine to the pot. Stir very well, breaking up all of the meat. Simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes.
- Add chicken stock and tomato paste. Simmer for 20 minutes, until reduced.
- Remove sauce from heat and stir in butter, milk, and parmesan.
- Cook spaghetti until al dente. Drain and toss spaghetti with bolognese sauce. Serve with more parmesan cheese.
Lauren says
This recipe is SO good. So glad I found it, I made this today and I can't believe how delicious it is!
Christina Musgrave says
So happy you enjoyed! It's such a special recipe, I'm so happy you liked it.
Michael says
Wow, this was incredible. Will definitely be making again.
Christina Musgrave says
So happy you liked the recipe!
Emily says
So delicious and easy! My family annihilated it. The only thing I did differently was add 2 cloves of minced garlic with the pancetta because I love garlic.
Christina Musgrave says
Yay! Thanks so much, so happy your family enjoyed. This is one of our favorite recipes!
Kathryn Friedman says
Sooooo yummy. Made it for the whole family. They all loved it.
Christina Musgrave says
Thanks so much! So happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Virginia Rumford says
This was delicious and an instant family favorite! So simple, so flavorful!
Christina Musgrave says
Thanks so much! So happy you liked it, it's one of our favorites too!
sarina says
I'ts look so good I love your homeade cooking 🙂
Christina Musgrave says
thank you!