I thought I hated red "meat sauce." But this rich, luxurious Bolognese sauce recipe is the stuff of DREAMS, I tell you. My homemade sauce has freshly chopped carrots, onions, and celery, plus a long slow simmer with tomatoes and cream. The result is an explosion of creamy authentic Italian flavor, and has changed everything I thought I knew about red sauce.

Pasta night! Make Savio Volpe's iconic bolognese recipe at home.

Hearty and comforting, this meaty, easy bolognese sauce recipe takes less time to make than it does to disappear into hungry tummies.

Learn how to make a restaurant-worthy and authentic bolognese sauce at home served with pappardelle pasta noodles! This famous Italian meat sauce (also known in Italian as ragù alla bolognese) originated in Bologna, Italy, and comprises pork, beef, pancetta, and San Marzano tomatoes. The end result produces an intensely flavored sauce simmered for several hours to achieve perfect results!

This classic bolognese is a light adaptation of Marcella Hazan's bolognese from the famous cookbook, Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking. My version stays true to the original, but offers more detail, simplified ingredient quantities, and is slightly more tomato-forward in flavor. While the sauce is straight-forward to make, it does require at least 3 hours of simmer time, so it is a dish best planned ahead. See note section for detailed make-ahead and reheating instructions. This recipe yields one generous quart (4 cups) of sauce, ideal for tossing with about a pound of pasta. I'll often double the recipe and freeze a portion for later. Your future self will thank you!

I tried it to find out.

A guide to making Tagliatelle al Ragù alla Bolognese

Rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel and loads of mozzarella make up this ultimate lasagna

This 30-minute Easy Bolognese Sauce recipe makes it possible to enjoy Bolognese on a weeknight thanks to store-bought marinara sauce. This recipe is easy, economical, and makes enough to feed a hungry crowd.

Giada's simple bolognese is a longtime favorite among readers, and it's no question why.

I can confidently say it's the only Bolognese recipe I'll ever make.

Giada's simple bolognese is a longtime favorite among readers, and it's no question why.

It's a wonderful feeling to be in a warm, fragrant kitchen. Onions sizzle, tomatoes simmer, and meats mix. The air feels exciting as you stand near a bubbling pot. You're about to taste something really good.

While homemade bolognese may sound like a long process that can be overwhelming, it’s not actually a hard recipe to make. Bolognese is a delicious, flavorful meat sauce that works so well when paired with pasta. And while this recipe is not truly traditional, it’s packed with so much flavor that you’ll want to make it time and again!