Homemade bolognese sauce

A proper homemade bolognese sauce: minced beef simmered slowly with tomatoes, onion, carrot and a splash of wine. Rich in flavour and much healthier than jarred sauces, it’s the base for your pasta and lasagne.

Preparation: 15 min  |  Cooking: 60 min  |  Servings: 6  |  Difficulty: Easy

Calculated per serving from Anses Ciqual 2025 values for each ingredient, based on the quantities listed. Household measures (spoonfuls, pieces) use average weights. 242 kcal · 21 g protein · 7 g carbohydrate · 13 g fat

Ingredients

• 500 g minced beef
• 800 g chopped tomatoes
• 1 onion
• 1 carrot
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 100 ml red wine (optional)
• 1 tsp herbes de Provence

Method

1. Fry the finely chopped onion, carrot and garlic.
2. Add the minced beef and brown it, breaking it up as it cooks.
3. Deglaze with the wine, then add the tomatoes and herbs.
4. Simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour over a low heat, uncovered.

Nutritional benefits

Made at home, bolognese is mostly lean meat and vegetables, without the sugar and additives of industrial sauces. The carrot softens the acidity without any added sugar, and the long cooking concentrates the flavours. Naturally lactose-free.

Variations and substitutions

• With lentils (vegetarian version).
• With 5% fat beef mince to lighten it.
• More hidden vegetables (courgette, celery).
• For lasagne or stuffed pasta.

Storage and making ahead

Improves with resting: best the next day. Keeps for 4 days and freezes in portions. The queen of batch cooking.

💡 Good to know

Simmer it as long as possible over a very low heat: it’s time, more than ingredients, that makes a great bolognese.

Related reading

Discover more high-protein recipes · healthy & balanced recipes · lactose-free recipes.

Foods in this recipe: minced beef · tomatoes · onion · carrot · garlic.

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