How to Make Bolognese Sauce

Recipe View Melt butter with olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, celery, carrot, and 1 pinch of salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and softened, about 5 minutes.

Recipe View Add ground beef to the vegetables; cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.

Recipe View Pour milk into the ground beef mixture and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring frequently to prevent scorching, until most of the milk has evaporated and the bottom of the pan is still slightly saucy, about 5 minutes.

Recipe View Increase heat to medium-high and pour in white wine; cook, stirring frequently, until the wine has mostly evaporated, about 5 minutes.

Recipe View Pour tomatoes with juice into a large mixing bowl; crush them with your hands until they resemble a chunky sauce. Pour tomato mixture into ground beef mixture; fill the tomato can with 2 cups water and stir into sauce. Bring to a boil.

Recipe View Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture cooks down into a thick, rich sauce, at least 3 hours but preferably 4 to 6 hours. Skim any fat from the top of the sauce as needed. Add more water if the sauce becomes too thick. Taste and adjust seasonings before serving.