Easy Bolognese Sauce {For Busy Moms}

Close-up of homemade veggie-packed Bolognese sauce cooking in a skillet. Ground beef is simmered with diced carrots, celery, onions, tomatoes, and fresh herbs, creating a rich, hearty meat sauce perfect for serving over spaghetti squash or pasta.

4.72 stars (7 reviews)

Easy Bolognese Sauce {For Busy Moms}

This easy Bolognese sauce is packed with protein, hidden vegetables, and rich flavor, making it the perfect family-friendly weeknight dinner. Serve it over spaghetti squash or your favorite pasta for a hearty meal that tastes like it simmered all day.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: Servings

Calories: 380kcal

Author: Shuang Shuang Liang

Equipment

Always Pan

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef *
1 small shallot chopped
1 jar 24 oz marinara sauce
2 celery stalk chopped
2 large carrot chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
2 - 3 tbsp olive oil
2 pieces bay leaves optional **
1 handful fresh basil optional
1/4 cup parmesan cheese optional

Instructions

In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp of neutral cooking oil, add in the ground beef, season with salt (about 1/2 tsp) and pepper (a few shakes).
Cook the beef until browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain the grease and transfer the ground beef pieces onto a piece of paper towel. ***
Return to the same skillet (wipe off additional grease if needed). Over medium heat 2 tbsp neutral cooking oil, after 1 minute or so, add, chopped shallots, celery, and carrots.
Continue to stir to prevent any burning, until fragrant, and the carrots and celery are softened.
Add the ground beef back in, along with marinara sauce and bay leaves. Lower the heat and stir until the meat and vegetables are completely coated with the sauce. TASTE and season with extra salt and pepper accordingly.
Let it simmer for approximately 10 - 15 minutes or until the sauce is well combined and thick.
Serve over prepared spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles or your favorite traditional pasta.

Notes

*If you do not have fresh basil in hand (which I usually do not), I like to swap it with 2 - 3 pieces of dried bay leaves.

** My favorite meat to use for this recipe is ground bison. You can also use ground turkey.

*** This step is added in June 2026 updates - Cooking the beef first and removing some of the grease. This step can help the final dish feel less heavy. If you are using ground turkey, you can omit this step.

Check out How to Make Easy Baked Spaghetti Squash yourself In this Post.

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