Ragu Bolognese Sauce

This rich and hearty Ragu Bolognese Sauce combines classic Italian flavors with a simple, family-friendly approach. Whether you make it on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot, this deeply flavorful meat sauce simmers into the perfect topping for your favorite al dente pasta of choice. It’s an easy, comforting dinner recipe that’s ideal for busy weeknights, Sunday suppers, or anytime you’re craving an Italian-inspired meal the whole family will love.

Easy Ragu Bolognese Sauce Recipe

The spaghetti sauce many of us grew up eating is usually a tomato-based meat sauce made with ground beef, pork, or a combination of both. Depending on the recipe, it may include crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato puree, or tomato sauce, along with garlic, onions, herbs, and seasonings. It’s a classic, comforting sauce that’s perfect for everything from weeknight dinners to family gatherings.

A ragu is a rich, meat-based Italian sauce that’s traditionally served with pasta. One of the best-known versions is Ragu alla Bolognese, often simply called Bolognese sauce. While both are slow-cooked meat sauces, there are some key differences. Traditional ragu is typically thicker and meatier, and regional variations, such as Ragu alla Napoletana, often use red wine.

Bolognese, on the other hand, is usually made with white wine and contains less tomato, allowing the meat to be the star of the sauce. Both can be prepared with ground beef, pork, veal, or a combination of meats, and many recipes finish with a splash of milk or, as in this recipe, a touch of cream for extra richness.

Key ingredients you’ll need to make Ragu bolognese Sauce: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card and quantities.)

Protein – A combination of Italian sausage and ground beef or a rich and hearty flavor.
Bacon or Pancetta – You can use classic bacon or pancetta to expand the flavor profile.
Oil – Olive oil to saute the vegetables and meat.
Vegetables – Bolognese features carrots, celery and onion for texture.
Spices – Garlic salt, Italian seasoning or oregano, onion powder, black pepper, red pepper flakes.
Tomatoes – Italian seasoned diced tomatoes and tomato puree.
Tomato Paste – Tomato paste thickens the sauce. You can use more or less, to your taste.l
Liquid – Low sodium beef stock for moisture. You can also use a combo of beef stock and red wine or white wine.
Aromatics – Bay leaves add depth of flavor.
Heavy Cream – Heavy cream adds a rich and creamy texture to the sauce.
Pasta – Cooked pasta i.e. spaghetti or pappardelle pasta and grated Parmesan cheese for serving.

How to Make Ragu Bolognese Sauce Recipe

Cook Bacon – Cook until crispy then remove to drain on paper towels. Discard drippings or freeze for other use. You can skip this step and begin with olive oil.
Brown Meat – Add beef and sausage, cooking over medium-high heat until browned and no pink remains, stir to crumble. Remove from pan.
Saute Vegetables – Add carrot, celery and onion to the drippings left in pan. Sauté until softened and beginning to brown. Scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pot.
Add Tomatoes and Spices – To the pot add meat mixture, diced tomatoes, tomato puree, stock, tomato paste, salt, Italian seasoning, onion powder, pepper, red pepper flakes and bay leaves; bring to a boil.
Simmer – Cover with lid, reduce heat, and simmer per the cooking time in the recipe.
Add Heavy Cream – Remove bay leaves, and discard. Stir in cream.
Thicken to Taste – At this point you can thicken further with additional tomato paste adding in small amounts until desired consistency is reached.
Serve – Serve ragù over cooked pasta of choice topped with grated cheese and fresh parsley.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Ragu Pasta Sauce

Large pot or dutch oven.
Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
Knife and chopping board, vegetable peeler.
Slotted spoon.
Plate or platter.
Pasta pot.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

Protein – You can make Bolognese sauce using only ground beef for an all beef ragu, ground veal or ground pork or any combination based on your preference. I use beef and Italian seasoned pork sausage in this recipe.
Bacon – Bolognese doesn’t typically include bacon, but it adds a nice smoky flavor to the sauce overall. You may opt to use pancetta instead or omit it altogether, if that’s your preference.
Pasta – What’s the best pasta to use with a Bolognese? Classic pasta would be a wide pasta to soak up all of the sauce. That said, it’s your party so, you can serve it ladled over spaghetti, rigatoni, pappardelle, or tagliatelle.
Cheese – You can top bolognese with any cheese you like. Grated Parmesan is always a go-to option, but you could use mozzarella, Parmigiano-Reggiano or gouda.
Fresh Herbs – You can top bolognese with fresh basil, rosemary, oregano or chives.

Storage and Leftovers

Reheating – Bolognese will rewarm beautifully, when making in advance. To rewarm the Bolognese, place in a deep pot over low heat, cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Once the pasta is cooked, add the sauce to the drained pasta and warm it up to the desired temperature.
Leftovers – Store leftover Ragu Bolognese Sauce in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer – You can freeze the Bolognese in a freezer safe container or plastic bag freezer safe Ziploc bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

More Easy Sauce Recipes to Make

Slow Cooked Spaghetti Sauce simmers in the crockpot while you go about your day.
Homemade Ranchero Sauce is full flavored and can be used for tacos, enchiladas and burritos.
You may have everything you need to make a quick and Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce.
Instant Pot Beef and Bean Chili is perfect for cool weather meals and game day snacking.
Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast is tender and full flavored.
Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo from the Novice Chef.

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