Nonna Consuelo's Hearty Italian Bolognese Sauce
Experience the rich, comforting flavors of Nonna Consuelo's Hearty Italian Bolognese Sauce, inspired by a cherished family recipe shared on 'Mom's Week' from LIVE with Kelly & Michael. This sauce brings together a blend of savory ground beef, aromatic vegetables, and perfectly balanced spices, simmered to create a luscious and deeply flavorful sauce that elevates any pasta dish. Ideal for family gatherings or meal prep, this recipe yields a generous amount, allowing you to savor the taste of Italy or freeze for later use. With each bite, you'll understand why this is a beloved classic that brings families together around the dinner table.
20
Servings
280
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef
3 lbs (browned and crumbled)
crushed tomatoes with puree
3 (28-ounce) cans (canned)
sweet onion
1 large (peeled and chopped)
celery ribs
5 (peeled and chopped)
carrot
1 lb (peeled and chopped)
garlic cloves
5 big (peeled and minced)
virgin olive oil
2/3 cup (for sautéing)
beef bouillon cubes
2 (for flavor)
ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (for seasoning)
fresh basil
1 cup (chopped, or 3 tablespoons dried)
dried oregano
1 tablespoon (crushed)
sugar
5 teaspoons (for balancing acidity)
tomato paste
1 (6-ounce) can (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Crumble the meat as it cooks, then drain any excess fat and set it aside.
2
Peel the onion, carrots, and celery, then chop them into small pieces. In a food processor, pulse the vegetables until they reach a puree consistency.
3
In a 10-quart non-stick pot, heat the virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the pureed vegetables and sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until soft.
4
Stir in the cooked ground beef, crushed tomatoes, beef bouillon cubes, minced garlic, ground black pepper, and sugar. Mix well to combine.
5
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
6
Finely chop the fresh basil (or crush the dried basil) and crush the oregano. Add them to the sauce, stirring to incorporate.
7
Cover the pot and let the sauce simmer gently for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. If desired, add the tomato paste towards the end of cooking to thicken the sauce further.
8
After 1.5 hours, remove the garlic cloves, place them on a small dish, and crush them into a puree using a fork. Stir the puree back into the sauce for added depth of flavor.
9
Cook the sauce for an additional 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. The sauce is done when the garlic is soft and the flavors are well combined.
10
Serve over your favorite pasta, or let the sauce cool and freeze for later use.
Nutrition Information
17.5g
Fat
7.5g
Carbs
22.5g
Protein
125mg
Sodium
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nonna Consuelo's Hearty Italian Bolognese Sauce?
It is a rich, comforting pasta sauce inspired by a family recipe shared on 'Mom's Week' from LIVE with Kelly & Michael.
How many servings does this Bolognese recipe make?
This recipe yields a generous 20 servings, making it perfect for large families or meal prepping.
What type of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 3 pounds of ground beef, which is browned and crumbled before being added to the sauce.
How many calories are in a single serving?
Each serving of this Bolognese sauce contains approximately 280 calories.
Can I freeze Nonna Consuelo's Bolognese sauce?
Yes, this sauce is freezer-friendly and can be stored for later use after it has cooled completely.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 17.5g of fat.
How much protein is in one serving of this sauce?
This hearty sauce provides 22.5g of protein per serving.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
The sauce requires a long, gentle simmer of 1.5 hours to develop its deep, complex flavors.
What vegetables are included in the base?
The base consists of a sweet onion, 5 celery ribs, and 1 pound of carrots, all pulsed into a puree.
Why is sugar added to the Bolognese?
5 teaspoons of sugar are included to help balance the natural acidity of the crushed tomatoes.
Do I need to puree the vegetables?
Yes, the instructions recommend pulsing the onion, carrots, and celery in a food processor until they reach a puree consistency.
What kind of tomatoes are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for three 28-ounce cans of crushed tomatoes with puree.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe uses 2/3 cup of virgin olive oil for sautéing the vegetable puree.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe uses 5 large garlic cloves, which are minced and later crushed into a puree.
What is the special technique for the garlic in this recipe?
After simmering for 1.5 hours, the garlic cloves are removed, crushed into a puree with a fork, and stirred back into the sauce.
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute the 1 cup of fresh basil with 3 tablespoons of dried basil.
Is there a recommended pot size for this recipe?
A 10-quart non-stick pot is recommended to handle the large volume of ingredients.
How much sodium is in each serving?
There is approximately 125mg of sodium per serving.
What is the purpose of the beef bouillon cubes?
The 2 beef bouillon cubes are added to enhance the savory, meaty depth of the sauce.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 7.5g of carbohydrates.
What herbs are used to season the sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with fresh or dried basil and 1 tablespoon of crushed dried oregano.
How long should I sauté the pureed vegetables?
The pureed vegetables should be sautéed in olive oil for about 10 minutes until they are soft.
When should I add the tomato paste?
If you choose to use it, the tomato paste should be added towards the end of the 1.5-hour simmering time to thicken the sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely, given it makes 20 servings, it is ideal for preparing large batches to use throughout the week or freeze.
What is the first step in preparing the sauce?
The first step is browning 3 pounds of ground beef in a large skillet and draining the excess fat.
How much black pepper is used?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper.
What kind of onion is recommended?
One large sweet onion is recommended for this recipe.
How many celery ribs are used?
The recipe requires 5 celery ribs, which should be peeled and chopped before pureeing.
What should the consistency of the vegetables be before sautéing?
They should be pulsed in a food processor until they reach a smooth puree consistency.
Is this considered an authentic Italian sauce?
Yes, it is described as a beloved classic Italian family recipe from Nonna Consuelo.