Bolognese, or ragù alla bolognese , is a traditional Italian meat-based sauce originating from Bologna, a city in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy
. It is a slowly cooked sauce made primarily from minced or finely chopped beef, often combined with small amounts of pork, and includes a soffritto of onion, celery, and carrot
. Key characteristics of authentic Bolognese sauce include:
- Slow cooking to develop a thick, rich texture
- Use of white wine and milk, which contribute to its creamy consistency
- A small amount of tomato paste or sauce is added, but tomatoes are not the dominant ingredient, distinguishing it from other tomato-heavy meat sauces
- Traditional preparation avoids garlic and relies on a balance of meat, vegetables, and dairy
Bolognese is traditionally served with flat pasta such as tagliatelle or used in dishes like lasagne alla bolognese, rather than spaghetti, which is more common outside Italy
. In summary, Bolognese is a slowly simmered, creamy, meat-based Italian sauce characterized by a blend of minced meats, soffritto vegetables, wine, milk, and a touch of tomato, originating from Bologna and typically paired with flat pasta
