Name: Easy Weeknight Bolognese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 lb ground beef; 1 1/2 cups mirepoix (or use 1/2 small white onion, 2 sticks celery, and 2 small carrots, all finely diced); 2 tablespoons minced garlic; 1/4 cup dry white wine; 1 cup tomato puree; 2/3 cup low sodium vegetable broth; 1/4 cup heavy cream; 10 oz. tagliatelle or pappardelle pasta; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; Salt; Pepper; Fresh herbs and parmesan cheese to garnish

This Easy Weeknight Bolognese is a quick and flavorful twist on traditional bolognese, made with simple shortcuts to get dinner on the table in just 40 minutes. With ground beef, veggies, white wine, tomato, and cream, this cozy pasta sauce is packed with flavor without requiring hours of simmering.

This easy bolognese is full of shortcuts that make it fast and simple. But at the same time, it’s still packed with all the flavor of traditional bolognese.

Bolognese has been a go to in my family for years.

It gives you all the food groups – carbs, protein and veggies – it’s delicious, and you can make enough for last for a few meals.

While I typically make a pretty quick version, I wanted this one to be quick and also to be more similar to a traditional bolognese.

To my understanding, traditional bolognese uses beef and pancetta. This one uses beef. Traditional bolognese also adds very little tomato and instead flavors the sauce with additions like white wine, broth, and milk. This one does the same.

The biggest differences between this bolognese and a traditional bolognese are the shortcuts. While I’m sure real Italian cooks would shake their heads at this version, it’s much easier and faster to make. A win for us home cooks 🙂

Instead of simmering for a few hours, this simmers for just about 20 minutes. In order to thicken the sauce in that short time, cornstarch is added.

Plus, we utilize alllll the shortcuts. Things like mirepoix and pre-minced garlic save you prep time in the kitchen.

There are many ways you can customize this to your liking too! Read on below.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Weeknight Bolognese

If you’re looking for an easy, nutritious, and satisfying weeknight meal — this is it.

This bolognese is made in just one pot with simple, straightforward ingredients. And it comes together in just about 40 minutes.

It’s an ideal make ahead meal or great to meal prep. Make a big batch early in the week to enjoy for a few days!

Not only is this bolognese high protein and full of beneficial nutrients, it’s also just really, really delicious. Because food is meant to be enjoyed :).

How to Make Easy Weeknight Bolognese

Prep the ingredients

Prepare all of your ingredients to make this Easy Weeknight Bolognese. You’ll need olive oil, ground beef, mirepoix, garlic, dry white wine, tomato puree, vegetable broth, heavy cream, tagliatelle or pappardelle pasta, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.

Prepare the mirepoix

If you’re not using a pre-made mirepoix mix, chop your veggies.

Finely dice 1/2 small white onion, 2 sticks celery, and 2 small carrots to prep the mirepoix.

Cook ground beef

Once the mirepoix is prepped, add the olive oil to a large pan over medium high heat. Add the ground beef, using a wooden spoon or meat chopper to break it up into small pieces.

Cook the beef, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until it starts to brown.

Add mirepoix and broth

Add the mirepoix and minced garlic to the pan. Stir and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until it starts to become fragrant.

Add the white wine and vegetable broth.

Add cream and tomato purée

Add tomato purée and heavy cream. Stir to combine.

Bring to boil, cook pasta

Turn heat to high and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let simmer for about 15 minutes (or longer if you have more time, see notes), stirring occasionally.

While the sauce is simmering, bring a pot of water to a boil and add pasta. Cook for 10-12 minutes, then drain.

Mix cornstarch mixture

Mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Add cornstarch mixture to the sauce and mix to combine. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add pasta

Add cooked pasta into the pan.

Toss to combine

Toss cooked pasta with the sauce.

Garnish & serve

Top this Easy Bolognese with fresh parmesan cheese and herbs to garnish. Serve for a delicious family-friendly weeknight dinner.

If You Love This Easy Weeknight Bolognese, Try These

One Pot Skillet Lasagna
Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta with Kale
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
30 Minute Turkey Meatballs
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

Ingredients You’ll Need

Olive oil: Olive oil is the base that’ll cook the veggies and beef.
Ground beef: See below – feel free to swap for a different protein of your choice. If you’re using ground beef, I like using somewhere between 85-93% lean ground beef.
Mirepoix: This is a mixture of diced carrot, onion, and celery. You can buy it pre-chopped to save time or quickly dice the vegetables on your own.
Garlic: As always, measure garlic with your heart 🙂
White wine: The wine will reduce and adds a depth of flavor to the bolognese.
Tomato purée: Look for canned tomato purée. You can save leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge to use for other recipes.
Vegetable broth: In lieu of vegetable broth, you can also use chicken broth or beef stock.
Heavy cream: This adds creaminess!
Cornstarch: You’ll mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry that helps thicken the sauce.
Parmesan: While parmesan is only added on top, it’s an absolute must to top off your pasta, IMO.