It’s hard to beat the delicious meaty taste of a quality-made bolognese sauce. As an Italian family must-have recipe, it’s no surprise that bolognese sauce has become a classic dish found on virtually any Italian restaurant menu. Bolognese knows how to hold its own against the lineup of favored pasta sauces with a unique flavor yet universally coveted heartiness.
But what is bolognese sauce and what makes it taste so good? Bolognese sauce is a slowly cooked meat-based sauce that can be prepared in various ways but usually demands time and effort to taste truly genuine. Bolognese recipes have evolved over time, with authentic ragù alla bolognese involving a fair amount of technique to create, leading bolognese dishes to become a true labor of love.
In this article, we’ll explore how bolognese sauces are made, some of the best ways bolognese can be served, as well as how Pirro’s Bolognese sauce can take your next Italian dinner to the next level. Here at Pirro’s, we believe in authentic Italian flavor, and we wouldn’t be representing the Old Country properly without our very own bolognese sauce. Read on to learn more about how it’s traditionally made!
What is in Bolognese Sauce?
Bolognese is a flavorful, hearty, and delicious labor of love, as a quality bolognese sauce will demand a little time and effort to develop the correct flavors. Preparation relies on several different techniques, such as sautéing, braising, and sweating the different ingredients. The ingredients are combined and gently simmered for hours upon hours to produce a thick, meaty sauce. The meats become mouth-wateringly delicious with each passing minute, making it a perfect meat sauce for a variety of different dishes. Another appealing element of bolognese sauce is that you can add whatever meats and veggies you prefer to the sauce if you so choose. While there are certainly traditional approaches, the nature of the sauce supports creativity.
Bolognese recipes will vary widely based on which meats are preferred and the various ways it is prepared. However, the most common ingredients found in traditional bolognese sauces include, but are certainly not limited to:
- Onion
- Celery
- Carrot
- Minced Italian beef
- Fatty pork
- Tomatoes or tomato paste
- White wine
- Optional: cream or milk
Pirro’s bolognese sauce is a delicious combination of tomatoes, veal, mushrooms, uncured bacon, onion, carrots, and various herbs and spices that bring out the complex flavors of each fresh ingredient.
What Does Bolognese Sauce Taste Like?
When exploring Italian-American cuisine, bolognese sauce typically refers to a tomato-based meaty sauce, great for those that want a protein-heavy pasta dish. These sauces will be similar to traditional Italian ragù alla bolognese which boasts a tomato-rich flavor due to its proximity to the fresh tomatoes of the Northern Italian region. As far as its taste, it will have a meaty heartiness from the browned meats, a sweet tang from the rich tomatoes, as well as an herbal kick from the various Italian spices used. If you’ve ever enjoyed a pasta dish with meat and tomato-based sauce, it was likely a variation of a bolognese recipe.
What is Bolognese Sauce Used For?
Bolognese sauce is delicious for many reasons we’ve already explored, but it’s also super useful in countless Italian dishes. Basically, if you think that a dish could be elevated with the use of a meat-filled red sauce, bolognese is a great choice. Its delicious re-heat ability also makes bolognese a leftover lover’s dream sauce, since the flavors only continue to marinate the meat. Bolognese pairs perfectly with countless kinds of pasta, but especially flat egg-based noodles like tagliatelle or fettuccine. The thicker the noodle, the easier the meat sauce will stick to the pasta, but bolognese is also delicious paired with spaghetti. Bolognese is also great for lasagnas, pasta bakes, and chilies as well as a thick meaty dipping sauce for bread.
Use Pirro’s Bolognese Sauce For Your Next Dinner!
Bolognese is a favored recipe within many Italian recipes, becoming almost equally beloved in the states. While there are numerous different ways to make bolognese, if you’re a fan of hearty sauces with meaty flavor profiles, we can’t think of a better suggestion. You can begin by exploring Pirro’s Bolognese, a recipe passed down through three generations of the Pirro family.
All Pirro’s Sauces are ready-to-cook, so all you need to do to create an unforgettable dish is heat up Pirro’s Bolognese Meat Sauce in a pot and add it to the dish of your choosing. Within an hour you can capture all of the amazing flavors of bolognese without waiting for hours of simmering meats to render.
