This easy bolognese sauce comes together in less than an hour and tastes like it's been simmering away all day. Even your Italian grandma will love it!
Heat olive oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and ground sausage and cook, crumbling the meat as it cooks, for 5 to 7 minutes, until cooked through and no longer pink. Stir in the garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 more minute.
Pour the wine into the skillet, stir to scrape up any browned bits, and cook until reduced by half. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, and pepper, stirring until combined. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to maintain a slow simmer, and simmer for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil, and cook the pasta according to the directions on the box.
While the pasta cooks, finish the sauce. Add the nutmeg, basil, and cream to the sauce and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. When the pasta is cooked, drain and toss with the sauce. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and toss well. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Notes
You can omit the sausage and use all ground beef. To keep the sauce from being too greasy, I recommend using a lean ground beef, somewhere in the 90% to 93% range.
I like either sweet or mild Italian sausage in this recipe.
A dry red wine works well in this recipe, i.e. cabernet sauvignon, merlot or pinot noir. If you prefer to not cook with wine, add a splash of water or chicken broth to deglaze the pan and scrape up the browned bits, then proceed with the recipe.
You can use any small pasta in place of the orecchiette; small shells work well, too!
Romano cheese can be used instead of the Parmesan cheese.
This recipe doubles well if you’re cooking for a large crowd.
Freezer-Friendly: Cook the sauce and cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up 4 months.