This quick bolognese sauce recipe is the perfect choice for a hearty and comforting meal. Rich, thick, and bursting with delicious flavors, this sauce is made with a combination of ground beef, tomatoes, herbs, and spices. It’s the ultimate home-cooked comfort food that’s ready in just 30 minutes.
Ready in just 35 minutes and made from naturally low-carb and healthy ingredients, this delicious bolognese sauce tastes incredibly delicious, and it’s the perfect dinner idea for a busy day.
Who doesn’t love homemade pasta sauce, especially when you are struggling with a busy day and don’t have much time for cooking? So if you are in this situation, make this delicious homemade bolognese sauce and serve it with your favorite side dish to create a complete meal.
What Is Bolognese Sauce?
Bolognese sauce, known as Bolognese ragu, is a common sauce in Italian cuisine used to prepare lasagna, pasta, or in combination with various vegetables like eggplant.
Why Are You Going To Love This Recipe
- You can make it ahead of time.
- Ready in just a few minutes.
- Made from naturally low-carb ingredients.
- It can be paired with many side dishes.
Ingredients For This Bolognese Sauce
You will need only a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry to create this delicious bolognese sauce. Here is a list of everything you will need:
- Olive Oil – you can replace it with any other vegetable oil you want.
- Ground Beef – Since I don’t want to drain a ton of fat once the meat is cooked, I use 85% lean meat.
- Canned Tomatoes – use your favorite brand that you like. Just make sure that you read the label to avoid those canned tomatoes with added sugar.
- Tomato Paste – gives extra flavor and color to this dish.
- Onion – you will need a finely chopped onion.
- Garlic Powder – you can replace it with 2 minced garlic cloves.
- Dried Herbs – I used oregano and basil, but you can also add your favorite dried herbs.
- Sweetener – cuts the acidity and balances all the flavors.
- Salt&Pepper – to taste.
- Red Pepper Flakes – you can skip this ingredient if you are not a fan of spicy food.
- Parmesan Cheese – there is no bolognese sauce without shredded parmesan cheese.
How To Make
- Olive Oil – you can replace it with any other vegetable oil you want.
- Ground Beef – Ground beef is the primary source of protein in this dish. The 85% lean meat used in this recipe provides a balance between flavor and fat content. It’s important to choose good quality meat for the best flavor.
- Canned Tomatoes – This ingredient provides the base for the sauce. The tomatoes used in this recipe are canned, making them a convenient option. When selecting canned tomatoes, it’s important to read the label to avoid added sugars.
- Tomato Paste – gives extra flavor and color to this dish.
- Onion – you will need a finely chopped onion. The finely chopped onion is sautéed in olive oil until it becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Garlic Powder – It adds a subtle garlic flavor to the sauce without the hassle of peeling and mincing fresh garlic.
- Dried Herbs – I used oregano and basil, but you can also add your favorite dried herbs.
- Sweetener – A small amount of sweetener is used to cut the acidity of the tomatoes and balance all the flavors
- Salt&Pepper – to taste.
- Red Pepper Flakes – This ingredient is optional and can be skipped if you’re not a fan of spicy food.
- Parmesan Cheese – there is no bolognese sauce without shredded parmesan cheese. It adds a rich, salty flavor to the dish.
How To Make A Quick Bolognese Sauce
Preparing this sauce is easier than you might think, and you don’t need advanced cooking skills to make it. Here are the simple steps to follow:
- Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat and cook the onion for 2 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and brown for 10 minutes until cooked through.
- Add the seasonings and tomato paste and mix until well combined.
- Add the tomato paste and sweetener, cover with a lid and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove the lid and stir using a wooden spoon.
- Let it cook for 10 more minutes until the sauce thickens. Turn off the heat and enjoy with some keto pasta or zucchini noodles.
Tips and Variations
- Brown the meat: To add depth of flavor to the sauce, be sure to brown the meat properly.
- Use tomato paste: Tomato paste gives the sauce a rich flavor and a thicker consistency.
- Add sweetness: A small amount of sweetener helps balance out the acidity of the tomatoes and adds complexity to the sauce.
- Be mindful of the salt: Add salt gradually and taste frequently to prevent over-salting the sauce.
- Let the sauce rest: After cooking, let the sauce rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and results in a more cohesive dish.
- Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese: A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a delicious finishing touch to the dish.
Serving Ideas
This bolognese sauce can be served with absolutely anything from pasta, cauliflower rice, mashed potatoes, and zucchini noodles.
You can also use this sugar-free bolognese sauce to make a delicious lasagna.
Storing Ideas
- Fridge – you can store any leftovers from this bolognese sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
- Freezer – this bolognese sauce is also freezer-friendly. Add it to a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make This Recipe With Other Type Of Meat?
Sure, if you are not a fan of ground beef, you can easily replace it with chicken, turkey, or pork ground meat.
Bolognese Sauce Vs. Spaghetti Sauce
The spaghetti sauce is different from the bolognese in one of the ingredients used to prepare it. While bolognese sauce is made from tomatoes and beef, pasta sauce can vary according to everyone’s tastes.
More Dinner Recipes
- Pork Chops with Creamy Garlic Mushroom Sauce – 30 Minute Recipe
- Zucchini Lasagna
- Fathead Pizza Rolls
Bolognese Sauce Recipe
Description
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 28 oz canned tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup onion chopped
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp basil
- 2 tsp sweetener
- salt&pepper to taste
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 2/3 cup grated Parmesan to garnish
Instructions
- Heat one tbsp of olive oil in a large pan and cook the chopped onion for 2 minutes.
- Cook the ground beef. Add the rest of the olive oil and the meat and cook for 10 minutes, breaking it down with a wooden spoon.
- Add the tomato paste and seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and sweetener. Cover with a lid and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove the lid and cook uncovered for 10 more minutes on medium-low heat until the sauce is thick, stirring occasionally.
- Turn off the heat, garnish with shredded parmesan cheese and enjoy!
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.