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A dish of beef bolognese gravy garnished with basil leaves, served alongside bowls of shredded cheese and uncooked pasta, with purple flowers in the background.
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Beef Bolognese Gravy

There’s something incredibly comforting about a rich, hearty sauce simmering away on the stove, and for me, beef bolognese gravy is the favorite one. If you’re like me, you probably love a good pasta night, but maybe you don’t want a huge pot of sauce that’ll sit in the fridge for a week. You can pair this sauce with pasta, rice, or even veggies for a cozy meal that feels like a hug in a bowl.
Course Sauces and Spices
Cuisine American, International
Keyword beef, bolognese, bolognese recipe, bolognese sauce, bolognese sauce recipe, ground beef, meat sauce, sauce recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings 4 Portions
Calories 380kcal
Author Zuzana Paar

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Tomato Sauce
  • 1/2 Cup Bacon Diced
  • 1 Cup Minced Meat
  • 1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
  • 1/2 Cup Fresh Celery Diced
  • 1 Onion
  • 2 Garlic Cloves
  • 1 Tablespoon Fresh Oregano
  • 1 Tablespoon Fresh Marjoram
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Begin by chopping the onions, celery, and garlic cloves. Dice the bacon and set out your herbs. Having everything ready makes the cooking process much smoother and quicker.
  • In your cooking pot, over medium heat pour a little oil and add the onions and garlic. Sauté until everything is caramelized, soft and fragrant.
  • Add the minced meat and bacon to the pot, breaking it up with your spatula. Cook for 10 minutes until the meat is browned and no longer pink. This step is important for building a rich, hearty flavor.
  • Stir in the fresh celery, oregano, and marjoram, letting the herbs release their aroma for 10 minutes. This adds a burst of freshness to the sauce.
  • Pour in the heavy cream and tomato sauce and stir everything together. Make sure all the ingredients are well-coated.
  • Let the meat sauce simmer on low heat for 40 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together. Stir occasionally and add salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

  • Use fresh herbs: Fresh herbs give a more vibrant flavor compared to dried herbs, so they’re definitely worth it in this recipe.
  • Don’t rush the simmering: Letting the sauce simmer for at least 20 minutes really helps all the flavors blend together.
  • Season at the end: Taste the sauce towards the end of cooking and adjust the salt and pepper if needed.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5Cup | Calories: 380kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 781mg | Potassium: 488mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 823IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 3mg