Weeknight Bolognese from Barefoot Contessa How Easy Is That?: Fabulous Recipes & Easy Tips (page 154) by Ina Garten

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Always check the publication for a full list of ingredients. An Eat Your Books index lists the main ingredients and does not include 'store-cupboard ingredients' (salt, pepper, oil, flour, etc.) - unless called for in significant quantity.

Notes about this recipe

  • dbuhler on February 05, 2026

    We really liked this! I did what a previous reviewer noted and I subbed all the wine for beef broth. I also added a couple of teaspoons of red wine vinegar at the end, but I may swap that out for balsamic next time. With all the flavor coming from the broth and sauce components, I want to try this with ground turkey or chicken next time. I can't wait for the leftovers tomorrow!

  • ksg518 on February 18, 2025

    A nice easy dish I’ve made a few times. I think it really needs a decent red wine to work. Sometimes it needs a pinch of sugar to tone down the acidity from the wine and tomatoes.

  • FlowerGold on October 22, 2024

    Very good, easy and not time intensive while still very flavorful. I would reduce the salt next time. Definitely worth a redo.

  • njpoirier on July 07, 2024

    My favorite bolognese recipe. It also freezes and reheats beautifully.

  • hlange on August 22, 2023

    This has been a go-to for years and has been a real crowd pleaser. Great depth of flavor and so easy to make. We always sub stock or broth for the wine.

  • averythingcooks on March 27, 2022

    We really enjoyed this meaty sauce over rigatoni. I made this early in the day so it did simmer/sit (with a parm rind) longer than on a rushed night & I used some spicy Italian sausage with the ground beef. I was surprised by no carrot/celery but had prepped an onion before I realized that onion was also absent from the ingredients...oh well, it went in with the meat. I read the comments about the 2nd addition of wine and went slowly - ultimately I used the full amount. I am always careful with the amount of oil & salt Ina calls for and as usual cut each back by about a 1/3. I would make this sauce again for sure.

  • Rachaelsb on June 21, 2019

    A family favorite...easy go to after long day of work.

  • anya_sf on June 01, 2019

    I made the sauce (without the nutmeg, basil, and cream) one day ahead and simmered it 30 minutes instead of 10, which I think helped reduce the "winey" flavor. Overall, this was fine, but nothing special.

  • julesamomof2 on August 19, 2017

    This one had too much red wine in it for the me. It overpowered the sauce. There are better Bolognese sauce recipes out there.

  • jodies on January 21, 2015

    I thought this sauce was very average. Reminded me a bit of the junior high cafeteria sauce. Better to spend (only a little) more time and make the real thing.

  • Rachaelsb on January 03, 2014

    Delish! so easy to prepare...great flavoring. There is lots of sauce-more than we like, so just put the extra in the fridge for another meal.

  • chawkins on August 09, 2013

    Very nice quick sauce. I used home grown tomatoes instead of the canned ones called for in the recipe. The sauce is well spiced, the little bit of nutmeg added je ne sais quoi, the cream and the last 1/4 cup of wine put in at the end added richness and round out the flavor.

  • Laura on May 28, 2012

    Pg. 154. For health reasons, we rarely eat beef or pasta. I had originally bought the ground beef thinking that I'd grill hamburgers as a very rare treat. But the weather didn't permit grilling outside and so I turned to EYB and found this recipe. I was initially skeptical that it would be good given the very short cook time. Well, it was delicious! And I expect that the leftovers will be even better tomorrow.

  • Delys77 on October 31, 2011

    For a quick cooked sauce this was absolutely delicious. Super and paired very well with shell pasta. Pureed the tomato before I put it in.

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