Quick & Scrumptious Ina Garten Weeknight Bolognese Recipe

Weeknight Bolognese makes hearty Italian comfort food possible even on busy evenings.

Ground meat, tomatoes, and herbs simmer into a deeply satisfying sauce in less than an hour.

Each spoonful offers rich, layered flavor that clings to every strand of pasta.

A splash of wine or cream can elevate the sauce even further.

It’s easy to make and even easier to love.

Once you try it, it’ll be on regular rotation.

Why Weeknight Bolognese Is the Hero of Busy Evenings

• Whip Up a Speedy Weeknight Delight: This Bolognese recipe transforms ordinary ground sirloin into a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes, making gourmet cooking accessible for busy home chefs.
• Unleash Layered Flavor Complexity: The strategic combination of red wine, crushed tomatoes, garlic, and herbs creates a rich, deep sauce that develops incredible depth through simple deglazing and simmering techniques.
• Master a Foolproof Cooking Method: The step-by-step process ensures even browning of meat, perfect sauce consistency, and seamless integration of ingredients, guaranteeing success for cooks of all skill levels, even those with minimal culinary experience.

Gather What You Need for Weeknight Bolognese Success

• Ground Sirloin: Lean beef with rich flavor, perfect for creating a hearty and meaty sauce base.
• Olive Oil: High-quality oil for sautéing and adding smooth texture to the meat.

• Garlic, Dried Oregano, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Classic Italian flavor enhancers that provide depth, warmth, and subtle heat to the bolognese.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and highlighting the overall taste of the dish.

• Crushed Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Rich, concentrated tomato base that creates the classic bolognese sauce texture and color.
• Dry Red Wine: Adds complexity and depth to the sauce, helping to deglaze the pan and develop rich flavors.
• Ground Nutmeg: Warm spice that provides a subtle, sophisticated background note to the sauce.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Bright, aromatic herb that adds freshness and traditional Italian character.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth, luxurious texture and softens the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that adds umami and a classic Italian finishing touch.

• Dried Pasta: Sturdy pasta shape that holds the thick bolognese sauce well.

Making Weeknight Bolognese Without Breaking a Sweat

Step 1: Sizzle The Meat

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground sirloin and break it into small pieces while cooking until the meat turns golden brown and loses its pink color.

Step 2: Awaken The Aromatics

• Minced garlic
• Dried oregano
• Crushed red pepper flakes

Stir and cook for one minute to release their incredible aromas.

Step 3: Splash In The Wine

Pour dry red wine into the skillet, scraping up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 4: Build The Sauce Foundation

• Crushed tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Salt
• Black pepper

Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let the sauce simmer and develop deep flavors.

Step 5: Prepare The Pasta

Boil a large pot of water. Add a splash of oil and salt, then cook pasta until perfectly al dente.

Step 6: Enrich The Sauce

• Ground nutmeg
• Fresh basil leaves
• Heavy cream
• Remaining red wine

Simmer until the sauce thickens and becomes luxuriously rich.

Step 7: Create The Final Masterpiece

Drain the pasta and transfer to a serving bowl. Pour the sauce over the pasta, sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with extra cheese on the side for cheese lovers.

Clever Tips to Elevate Your Weeknight Bolognese

• Choose Lean Beef: Select ground sirloin for a healthier version that doesn't compromise on rich, delicious flavor. Less fat means a cleaner, more vibrant Bolognese sauce.
• Deglaze with Wine Magic: Red wine transforms the sauce, creating depth and complexity. No wine? Chicken or beef broth works perfectly as a substitute to enhance the overall taste.
• Master the Slow Simmer: Allow the sauce to gently simmer for at least 10 minutes after adding tomatoes. This technique helps ingredients meld together, creating a thick, luxurious texture that coats pasta beautifully.
• Preserve Basil's Brightness: Sprinkle fresh basil leaves just before serving to maintain their aromatic punch. Late addition ensures maximum flavor and a gorgeous green pop of color.
• Pasta Water Rescue Trick: Save a small cup of starchy pasta water before draining. This secret weapon helps adjust sauce consistency and adds a silky smoothness without diluting the rich Bolognese flavor.

Store Your Weeknight Bolognese Without Losing Its Richness

• Freeze Flat: Transfer cooled Bolognese into heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Lay bags flat on a baking sheet, allowing them to freeze in thin, stackable layers. This method maximizes freezer space and ensures faster, more even thawing when needed.
• Portion Control: Divide the sauce into individual serving sizes before refrigerating or freezing. Use small containers or silicone muffin trays to create perfect single-serving portions. Grab exactly what you need without defrosting the entire batch.
• Glass Storage: Choose glass containers with tight-sealing lids for optimal flavor preservation. Glass prevents sauce discoloration and eliminates potential plastic taste transfer. These containers are microwave-safe, making reheating quick and convenient.

Weeknight Bolognese Variations That Keep It Exciting

• Vegetarian Lentil Bolognese: Replace ground sirloin with brown lentils, maintaining the same cooking technique and spice profile. Add extra vegetables like diced mushrooms for deeper umami flavor and protein richness.
• Spicy Chorizo Bolognese: Swap ground sirloin with Spanish chorizo for a robust, smoky kick. Increase red pepper flakes to enhance heat and complement the sausage's intense flavor.
• Mediterranean Lamb Bolognese: Use ground lamb instead of beef for a more intense, gamey taste. Add fresh mint leaves and reduce oregano quantity to highlight the lamb's natural richness.
• Turkey Lighter Bolognese: Substitute ground sirloin with lean ground turkey for a healthier version. Include additional herbs like thyme and sage to compensate for turkey's milder flavor profile.

One Last Saucy Bite of Weeknight Bolognese Magic

Culinary magic unfolds with Ina Garten’s Weeknight Bolognese, a symphony of rich flavors dancing across your palate.

Robust ground sirloin mingles with aromatic herbs, creating a sauce that whispers Italian countryside tales.

Wine-infused complexity transforms humble ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Creamy textures and nuanced spices elevate this classic pasta dish beyond ordinary expectations.

Parmesan’s salty embrace adds final depth to this remarkable recipe.

So grab those pots, channel your inner chef, and dive into this delectable adventure – then snap a pic, share with friends, and spread the delicious love across social media!

Ina Garten Weeknight Bolognese Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Weeknight Bolognese delivers rich Italian comfort with surprising simplicity. Ground beef simmers in a robust tomato sauce, creating a hearty meal that brings warmth and satisfaction to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (1 lb) lean ground sirloin

Herbs and Spices:

• 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon (¼ tsp) crushed red pepper flakes
• ¼ teaspoon (¼ tsp) ground nutmeg
• 4 teaspoons (4 tsp) minced garlic (4 cloves)
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Other Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (2 tbsp) good olive oil, plus extra to cook the pasta
• 1 ¼ cups (1.25 c) dry red wine, divided
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
• 2 tablespoons (2 tbsp) tomato paste
• ¾ pound (¾ lb) dried pasta, such as orecchiette or small shells
• ¼ cup (¼ c) chopped fresh basil leaves, lightly packed
• ¼ cup (¼ c) heavy cream
• ½ cup (½ c) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large 12-inch (30 cm) skillet over medium-high temperature. Introduce ground sirloin, breaking the meat into crumbly pieces with a wooden spoon, cooking for 5-7 minutes until the meat transitions from pink to golden brown.
2. Incorporate minced garlic, dried oregano, and ¼ teaspoon () crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for an additional minute to release aromatic flavors.
3. Deglaze the skillet by pouring 1¼ cups () dry red wine, carefully scraping the caramelized meat bits from the pan’s surface.
4. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly, bring to a robust boil, then reduce heat and allow the sauce to simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Simultaneously, prepare pasta by bringing a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Season with salt and a splash of oil, then cook ¾ pound () dried pasta according to package recommendations.
6. Enrich the sauce by stirring in ¼ teaspoon () ground nutmeg, ¼ cup () chopped fresh basil leaves, and ¼ cup () heavy cream. Introduce the remaining ¼ cup () red wine and continue simmering for 8-10 minutes, stirring periodically until the sauce reaches a thick, luxurious consistency.
7. Drain the pasta and transfer to a generous serving bowl. Cascade the sauce over the pasta, then generously fold in ½ cup () freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Present immediately, offering additional Parmesan cheese for guests to sprinkle as desired.

Notes

• Elevate flavor by reserving a small cup of starchy pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without compromising taste intensity.
• Enhance sauce depth by allowing tomato mixture to simmer gently, developing rich complexity and thickening naturally for about 10 minutes.
• Boost sauce authenticity with a splash of red wine, creating deeper flavor profiles and helping to deglaze the cooking pan effectively.
• Brighten final dish by sprinkling fresh basil leaves just before serving, maintaining their vibrant aromatic qualities and delicate essence.
• Complete the meal by transferring perfectly cooked pasta into a large serving bowl, generously coating with sauce and sprinkling freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 667
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 637 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 6.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 84 g
• Fiber: 11 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 62 mg