Simple Weeknight Bolognese: The Ultimate Comfort Food

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A hearty and comforting Bolognese perfect for busy weeknights. Made with ground beef, fire-roasted tomatoes, and a touch of cream, this rich sauce comes together quickly for a delicious pasta dinner.

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This Simple Weeknight Bolognese is rich, hearty, and ready in under an hour. Perfect for busy weeknights, it pairs beautifully with rigatoni and a bold red wine.

Why You’ll Love This Simple Weeknight Bolognese

There is nothing more comforting than a big bowl of pasta. This hearty Simple Weeknight Bolognese is the ultimate comfort food fix. It takes little time to make but is big on flavor — making it a great weeknight meal and not just a Sunday gravy.

To make it even easier, chop and measure your vegetables the day before (carrots, onion, celery, and garlic). Then it’s just a matter of sautéing, browning, and simmering — simple steps for maximum flavor.

Ingredients and Notes

• 2 tablespoons olive oil – Use high-quality extra virgin for the best flavor.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced – Adds aromatic depth.
• 1 cup onion, small diced – Sweetens and balances the sauce.
• 1/2 cup carrots, small diced – Adds subtle sweetness.
• 1/2 cup celery, small diced – Classic soffritto base.
• 2 pounds ground beef – 80/20 works best for flavor and juiciness.
• 1/2 cup red wine – Bold red like Chianti, Sangiovese, or Cabernet. Can be replaced with beef broth if needed.
• 2 (28 oz) cans crushed fire-roasted tomatoes – Adds smokiness and depth.
• 1 cup beef broth – Builds a rich sauce base.
• 2 teaspoons salt & 1/4 teaspoon black pepper – Season to taste.
• 1 tablespoon Italian herb seasoning – Or fresh herbs for a fresher flavor.
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes – Optional, for a touch of heat.
• 1/8 cup heavy cream – Rounds out acidity and adds richness.

Pro Tip: Fire-roasted tomatoes, like Muir Glen, bring extra depth and a slow-simmered flavor without spending hours in the kitchen.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Sauté garlic, onion, celery, and carrots until soft and lightly browned.
2. Add ground beef and cook, stirring, until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Pour in red wine and bring to a boil to cook off alcohol, then reduce heat slightly.
4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, beef broth, salt, pepper, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes.
5. Add heavy cream, bring to a simmer, and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Serve over cooked rigatoni or penne and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

What is the Best Pasta for Bolognese?

While spaghetti is traditional, I prefer rigatoni or penne. Their ridges and hollow shapes trap the sauce perfectly, so every bite is rich and flavorful.

Food and Wine Pairings

• Wine: Chianti, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Merlot.
• Sides: Garlic bread, Caesar salad, or roasted vegetables.
• Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano.

FAQs

Quick Tips for Weeknight Cooking

• Prep vegetables ahead of time for a faster cooking experience.
• Simmer the sauce gently to develop depth without overcooking.
• Serve with fresh salad and crusty bread for a full Italian-inspired meal.

If you loved this Simple Weeknight Bolognese, share it with your friends, pin it for later, and explore more easy Italian weeknight dinners. Check out recipes like Creamy Mac and Cheese  or One-Pot Tortellini Soup for more comfort-food inspiration.

Simple Weeknight Bolognese

A hearty and comforting Bolognese perfect for busy weeknights. Made with ground beef, fire-roasted tomatoes, and a touch of cream, this rich sauce comes together quickly for a delicious pasta dinner.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Bolognese Sauce, Easy Dinner,, italian, Meat Sauce, Pasta Sauce, Simple Weeknight Bolognese

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 361kcal

Author: angela@mealstreetkitchen

Equipment

• Large high-sided skillet or Dutch oven
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Knife and cutting board

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves fresh garlic minced
• 1 cup onion small diced
• 1/2 cup carrots small diced
• 1/2 cup celery small diced
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 2 28 ounce cans crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Italian herbs seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/8 cup heavy cream

Instructions

• In a large high-sided skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, celery, and carrots and sauté until soft.
• Add ground beef and brown until cooked through. Drain off any excess fat.
• Add red wine and bring to a boil. Then stir in tomatoes, beef broth, and seasonings until well combined.
• Add heavy cream, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.
• Serve over cooked hot pasta of your choice. Enjoy!

Notes

• For extra depth of flavor, simmer the sauce for longer if you have time.
• Can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen for future meals.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.

Nutrition

Calories: 361kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 784mg | Potassium: 424mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1440IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2mg

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