Nanny’s Bolognese Recipe: A Culinary Love Story

When I first started dating my husband, he invited me over for a homemade dinner that turned out to be life-changing. He made me his Nanny's (Grandma's) Bolognese, a treasured family recipe passed down through generations. I’m pretty sure I fell in love with my husband that evening. No joke—the sauce is THAT good! It brings warmth and comfort with every bite.

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Over the last decade, I've made Nanny's Bolognese countless times, and although I never had the pleasure of meeting Nanny, I'm pretty sure she’d be proud. This rich, flavorful sauce isn’t just a meal; it's a piece of family history served with love.

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Ingredients:

• 1 large onion, finely chopped

• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped

• 2 medium carrots, finely chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ tsp red pepper flakes

• ½ pound ground beef

• ½ pound ground pork

• 5 oz tomato paste

• 1 ½ cups white wine

• 3 ½ cups beef stock

• 1 cup whole milk (not low fat or nonfat)

• 1 bunch parsley, chopped

• Salt, olive oil, pepper (SOP)​

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Instructions:

1. Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are about three-quarters softened, approximately 6-8 minutes.

2. Add Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes: Add the garlic and red pepper flakes to the pot and continue to sauté until the vegetables are fully softened, about 2-3 more minutes.

3. Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef and pork to the pot. Cook until browned, breaking the meat into small pieces as it cooks.

4. Cook Tomato Paste: Add the tomato paste and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently.

5. Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the white wine and cook off the alcohol, allowing the wine to reduce slightly.

6. Add Milk and Stock: Stir in the milk and beef stock. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat and let the sauce simmer, stirring every 5-6 minutes to prevent it from burning on the bottom.

7. Simmer: Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer gently for at least 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer it cooks, the more flavorful it becomes. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water or broth to adjust the consistency.

8. Finish with Parsley: Just before serving, add the chopped parsley to the sauce and stir to combine. Turn off the heat.

9. Serve with Love: Serve Nanny’s Bolognese over your favorite pasta, and enjoy with a sprinkle of grated Pecorino cheese (you won't find Parmesan in our house) and a glass of red wine.

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Pro Tip: I like to double the batch and freeze the other half since it can be an investment of time to make. Buon appetito!