Cozy Ina Garten Mushroom Bolognese Recipe for Chilly Nights

Mushroom bolognese transforms classic Italian comfort food into a vibrant vegetarian delight that promises rich, complex flavors.

Hearty and satisfying, this robust sauce reimagines traditional meat-based recipes with an unexpected fungal twist.

Cremini mushrooms provide deep, meaty undertones that dance across your palate with incredible depth and nuance.

Sophisticated yet approachable, the dish celebrates umami-packed ingredients that elevate simple pasta into a remarkable culinary experience.

Seasonal herbs and aromatic spices weave through the sauce, creating layers of intricate taste sensations.

Passionate home cooks appreciate how this recipe balances technique with accessible ingredients, making gourmet dining achievable in your own kitchen.

Each bite tells a story of culinary creativity and mindful ingredient selection: dive in and savor the magic.

Last Scoop of Ina Garten’s Mushroom Bolognese

Culinary magic emerges from Ina Garten’s mushroom bolognese, blending earthy mushrooms with rich Italian traditions.

Sophisticated ingredients dance together, creating a symphonic meal that transcends ordinary pasta dishes.

Mediterranean flavors weave through each carefully crafted bite, inviting sensory exploration.

Umami-packed mushrooms replace traditional meat, offering a hearty vegetarian alternative with remarkable depth.

Garten’s recipe proves complex flavor profiles can emerge from simple, quality ingredients.

Each forkful promises a journey through rustic Italian countryside kitchens – you’ll want to savor slowly, share generously, comment passionately, and spread this delectable discovery across social platforms.

Why Mushroom Bolognese by Ina Garten Feels So Satisfying

• Savor Rich Umami Depth: Mushrooms create an incredible meaty texture and intense flavor profile without using actual meat, making this dish perfect for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike.
• Craft Effortless Gourmet Meal: The recipe transforms simple ingredients into a sophisticated pasta dish with professional-level techniques like deglazing and building complex layers of flavor in under 30 minutes.
• Elevate Comfort Food Experience: Combining creamy mascarpone, bright basil, and robust tomato sauce delivers a luxurious twist on classic pasta bolognese that feels simultaneously familiar and exciting, offering restaurant-quality dining at home.

The Ingredients Behind Ina Garten’s Mushroom Bolognese

Main Ingredients:

Mushrooms: A hearty, meaty substitute that provides rich umami flavor and substantial texture for the bolognese sauce.

Pasta: The classic base for the dish, absorbing the flavorful sauce and creating a satisfying meal.

• Garlic, Fresh Oregano, Fresh Basil: Provide layers of aromatic depth and bright, fresh herbal notes to enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a subtle heat and warmth to the sauce.

• Olive Oil: Helps sauté mushrooms and create a smooth cooking base.
• Red Wine: Adds depth, complexity, and helps deglaze the pan to capture browned flavor bits.
• Crushed Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Create the rich, tangy foundation of the bolognese sauce.

• Mascarpone Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Provide creamy richness and a salty, nutty finish to the sauce.
• Ground Nutmeg: Offers a subtle, warm background note that complements the other ingredients.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing the overall taste of the dish.

Steps to Cook Mushroom Bolognese Like Ina Does

Step 1: Sauté Mushroom Base

Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook until they develop a rich golden-brown color, releasing their deep, earthy flavors.

Step 2: Enhance Aromatic Profile

• Minced garlic
• Fresh oregano
• Crushed red pepper flakes

Stir and cook briefly to awaken the spices’ intensity.

Step 3: Deglaze With Wine

Pour wine into the pot, gently scraping the bottom to lift all the caramelized mushroom bits, creating a complex flavor foundation.

Step 4: Build Tomato Sauce

• Crushed tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Salt
• Black pepper

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer, allowing flavors to meld together.

Step 5: Prepare Perfect Pasta

Boil a large pot of salted water. Add pasta and cook until it reaches al dente texture. Drain, reserving some cooking water for potential sauce adjusting.

Step 6: Develop Sauce Complexity

• Remaining wine
• Ground nutmeg
• Fresh basil
• Mascarpone cheese

Simmer gently to integrate these luxurious ingredients.

Step 7: Final Cheese Flourish

Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately, garnishing with additional Parmesan and fresh basil for a stunning presentation.

Tips for Deep Flavor in Mushroom Bolognese

• Select Bold Wine: Opt for a robust Chianti to infuse the bolognese with complex, rich undertones that complement the earthy mushrooms perfectly.
• Master Mushroom Browning: Ensure mushrooms develop a deep golden-brown color by cooking them slowly, which concentrates their flavor and creates a meaty texture.
• Pasta Water Magic: Saving a cup of starchy pasta water becomes your secret weapon for creating a silky, clingy sauce that beautifully coats every strand.
• Sauce Consistency Control: Gradually splash in reserved pasta water to thin or adjust the sauce's thickness, giving you total control over the final texture.
• Cheese Finishing Touch: Remove the pot from heat before stirring in Parmesan to maintain a smooth, creamy sauce without risking separation or graininess.

Keep Ina Garten’s Mushroom Bolognese Fresh and Delicious

• Freeze: Transfer completely cooled Mushroom Bolognese to heavy-duty freezer bags or sturdy containers. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and label with date. Seal tightly and store flat to maximize freezer space. Frozen sauce maintains optimal flavor and texture for up to 3 months.
• Refrigerate: Store in glass or ceramic containers with tight-fitting lids to preserve freshness. Keep sauce at the back of the refrigerator where temperature remains most consistent. Consume within 4 days for best quality and safety. Allow sauce to cool entirely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Reheating: Thaw frozen sauce overnight in the refrigerator for even warming. Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Add a splash of vegetable broth or water if sauce seems too thick.

Ways to Switch Up Mushroom Bolognese à la Ina

• Mediterranean Veggie Fusion: Replace mushrooms with roasted eggplant and zucchini, add kalamata olives, and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese instead of Parmesan for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Incorporate diced bell peppers, swap oregano for cumin, add chipotle pepper for heat, and finish with cilantro and queso fresco for a Mexican-style interpretation.
• Creamy Truffle Elevation: Enhance the sauce with a drizzle of truffle oil, use mixed wild mushrooms like porcini and shiitake, and replace mascarpone with heavy cream for a luxurious woodland-inspired rendition.
• Protein-Packed Plant Version

Ina Garten Mushroom Bolognese Recipe

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4.7 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s mushroom bolognese delivers rich, earthy comfort with Mediterranean flair. Hearty portobello and mixed mushrooms create a luxurious sauce that rivals traditional meat versions, promising a satisfying plant-based meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1½ pounds (680 g) cremini mushrooms, brushed clean, trimmed, and medium-diced
• 1 pound (450 g) dried pasta (e.g., large shells or rigatoni)
• 1 (28-ounce) can (800 g) crushed tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)

Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) good olive oil
• 4 teaspoons (4 cloves) minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano leaves
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Liquid and Cheese Components:

• 1¼ cups (295 ml) dry red wine (e.g., Chianti), divided
• ¼ cup (10 g) chopped fresh basil leaves, lightly packed, plus more for serving
• ¼ cup (60 g) Italian mascarpone cheese
• ½ cup (50 g) freshly grated Italian Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare mushrooms by heating olive oil (30 milliliters) in a medium Dutch oven over medium heat. Sauté mushrooms until they develop a golden-brown color, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Enhance flavor profile by introducing minced garlic (4 cloves), fresh oregano (), and crushed red pepper flakes (). Briefly cook the aromatics for 1 minute to release their essential oils.
3. Deglaze the pot by pouring wine (240 milliliters), carefully scraping the caramelized bits from the bottom to incorporate deep, rich flavors.
4. Incorporate crushed tomatoes (800 grams), tomato paste (), salt (), and black pepper (1½ teaspoons). Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 10 minutes, developing a robust sauce consistency.
5. Simultaneously prepare pasta in a separate large pot of boiling water. Add salt () and pasta (450 grams), cooking until perfectly al dente according to package instructions. Carefully reserve of pasta water before draining.
6. Elevate the sauce by integrating remaining wine (60 milliliters), ground nutmeg (), fresh basil (10 grams), and mascarpone cheese (60 grams). Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
7. Complete the dish by removing from heat and gently stirring in Parmesan cheese (50 grams). Serve immediately, garnishing with additional Parmesan and fresh basil for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Select robust red wines like Chianti to elevate the sauce’s depth and complexity, ensuring a rich and authentic flavor profile.
• Brown mushrooms thoroughly until they develop deep caramelized edges, releasing intense umami characteristics that transform the entire dish’s taste experience.
• Preserve a cup of starchy pasta water before draining, creating a magical liquid that seamlessly binds sauce and noodles with silky smoothness.
• Control sauce consistency by incrementally introducing reserved pasta water, allowing perfect texture and preventing potential dryness.
• Incorporate grated Parmesan away from direct heat, preventing separation and maintaining a luxuriously creamy sauce that coats every pasta strand.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup (about 250 grams)
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg