Bolognese Sauce

I somehow got on the mailing list for Williams-Sonoma and if I ever win the lottery, I would like to have every pot, pan, knife and kitchen gadget they sell! Their catalog is gorgeous, AND they throw in a few recipes too!

Bolognese Sauce is my absolute favorite sauce of all time. I NEVER make it since its so high in calories, but I never knew exactly how high until I decided to figure out the calories for this recipe. It actually wasn’t as bad as I thought. The recipe says it makes 9 cups, so I figure 1 serving for me would be 1/2 a cup.

For each 1/2 cup it would be 202 calories, 12 grams of fat and 2 grams of fiber.

I based that on 85% lean beef in the recipe, if you use a leaner cut, that could save you a few calories, and you could lessen the amount of beef I suppose. BUT, I am going to make it like this, and enjoy it with my favorite pasta and not feel guilty about it!

Bolognese Sauce
This classic Italian sauce, made with ground beef, pork and pancetta, is easy to prepare in a slow cooker.

Ingredients:

2 Tbs. olive oil
1 1/4 lb. each ground beef
1 1/4 lb. ground pork
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
4 oz. pancetta, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 yellow onion, finely diced
2 carrots, peeled and finely diced
1 celery stalk, finely diced
5 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup tomato paste
1 cup dry red wine
1 cup milk
2 cans (each 28 oz.) whole tomatoes, passed through a food mill
2 bay leaves
1 Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese rind
1 lb. tagliatelle, cooked
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for serving

Directions:
In the stovetop-safe insert of a slow cooker over medium-high heat, warm 1 Tbs. of the olive oil. Add the ground beef, pork, salt and pepper and cook until browned, about 12 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Add the pancetta to the insert and cook until crisp, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

Reduce the heat to medium and warm the remaining 1 Tbs. olive oil. Add the onion, carrots and celery and cook until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until almost evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add the ground meats, pancetta, milk, tomatoes, bay leaves, cheese rind, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer.

Place the insert on the slow-cooker base. Cover and cook on high until the sauce thickens, about 3 1/2 hours. Discard the bay leaves and cheese rind. Adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper. Toss the pasta with about 3 cups sauce (reserve the remaining sauce for another use). Serve immediately and pass the grated cheese alongside. Makes 9 cups sauce.

williams-sonoma2.jpg

Even their stores are pretty! Has anyone ever gotten to shop at one of their stores??

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11 comments

  • They’re in the mall so if we’re there I always go drool. I’ve gotten a few little gadgets (spatula, peeler) but they’re expensive. But they set it up so cool w/ all the choices in a rainbow – like all of the Kitchenaid mixers going down the wall in the pretty colors, the same w/ the Cuisinarts and accessories.

    Johnny asked me once if I had $1M and could only shop at ONE store to spend it which would I choose? And I chose Williams-Sonoma!

  • I’ve walked by Williams Sonoma many times. And drooled over everything in their store. I refuse to go in though. I feel like it would just create problems for my credit card bill.

    This sounds like a GREAT sauce. A little high in calories, true, but a good treat every once in a while.

  • I love WS and somehow, when I read their catalog, I suddenly NEED a ton of kitchen gear, lol! We don’t have a store in our town, but went to one while we were at a mall in Austin a few months ago. It’s a dangerous place for me, as I became mesmerized by a Nespresso coffee maker and seriously considered buying one (it was $249!!!). Luckily I came to my senses.

  • I love Williams-Sonoma; walking through the store is such a treat! 🙂 I have only bought a few small things there (my favorite is a yellow lemon juicer; it’s the best!).

    The bolognese sauce sounds really good!

    Happy Sunday!

  • Every time I pass one, I go inside and they get all of my money. I’m lucky enough to have always lived close enough to their stores.

  • I love Williams Sonoma. We have like 4 of their stores in the different malls here. I can’t not stop and look. I have a wish list from there that is about a mile long. My husband filled my stocking up with little gadgets from there this year and I was so excited. You will have to go to one if you are ever in an area they have a store. It is so worth it!

  • I laugh I am NOT a cook yet walk past their store (on the way to my current fave LUCKY. love their thermals. too pricey for me but I can dream) and think:
    I NEED EVERYTHING IN THERE.

  • I have never thought about using the crock pot insert on the stove to start a crockpot recipe!

  • I’m the same way with their catalog, but luckily we have one of their outlet stores by us! Your bolognese sounds so comforting and flavorful – yum!

  • Jenn,
    I’ve not heard of this shop before :o(
    But I know I couldn’t walk past lol..when everyone else is shopping at the sales in January, I always get drawn into the cook shops!! Can’t help myself lol
    I love your bolognese sauce!

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