Bolognese Sauce with Cloves and Cinnamon
Did you guys catch the season finale of Grey’s Anatomy last night? 17 minutes into the finale, I was seriously bawling my eyes out. That was quickly followed by anger, annoyance, and frustration. I won’t really get into the details of it since I know there are some people who haven’t watched it yet but let’s just say that this episode was quite a shocker. It wasn’t as crazy as last year’s finale with the shooter and all but it definitely wasn’t something that I expected. Let’s just leave it at that. I’m still in shock from the whole thing.
Moving on to something more pleasant…
So this was my first time making and actually trying bolognese sauce, and I’m happy to report back that it was the best experience of my life. I mean it’s predominantly a super meaty spaghetti sauce without much of the sauce. It’s genius, really. As I was inhaling this dish, I kept thinking, “Where has this been my entire life?!”
I was particularly fond of this recipe because of the addition of non-traditional ingredients, like the cloves and cinnamon. These spices gave a nice kick at the end of each bite with its very subtle sweetness, and the over-the-top meatiness just sends you to the moon. Best of all, it’s so easy to make and it feeds an army, which makes it perfect for batch cooking or when having guests over so you don’t have to kill yourself over the stove while everyone else is having the time of their lives. Oh and btw, you should know that waiting the 90 minutes for this to simmer is absolute torture as it fills the house with the most amazing, meaty goodness smell. I can’t tell you how many times I stuck my nose near the opening of the Dutch oven to get a big whiff.
Bolognese Sauce with Cloves and Cinnamon (adapted from gas•tron•o•my):
Yields 6 servings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6-8 cloves
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves, plus more for garnish
- Cooked spaghetti, for serving
- Grated Parmesan, for serving
Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium high heat. Add the garlic and saute until the edges are golden, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Season with salt, to taste.
Add the beef and cook until browned, about 5-10 minutes, making sure to crumble the beef as it cooks.  Season with salt, to taste. (A potato masher works really well for this.)
Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, cinnamon sticks and cloves.
Reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, with lid slightly ajar until sauce has thickened, about 90-120 minutes.
Serve immediately with spaghetti noodles, garnished with Parmesan and parsley.
I made bolognese sauce yesterday, but I just wing it….no need for a recipe. Looking over your recipe, I too add clove and cinnamon, but falling back on tradition, as good as your sauce was, you can make it even better. Try adding some finely chopped carrot and celery (pulsed in the food processor) with your onion. I also added some dried thyme, marjoram and bay leaves.Finally, the ingredient that would send it over the top is about 8 oz finely chopped cremini mushrooms, added to the sauce while it is simmering. Those mushrooms will add an earthiness and depth of flavor, that will make the sauce irresistibly delicious.
Unfortunately, I am dealing with residual problems from covid-19 and could not taste my dinner last night. My Italian wife said that the sauce was great!
I hope that you try the mushroom addition….you will see a positive difference.
5 stars because you legit made me laugh out loud today – i know you didnt mean to but the term ‘dutch oven’ is pretty colloquially used as slang (atleast in the US/UK/AUS) for when you’re in bed with your partner etc, you fart/pass gas and then pull the covers over both of your heads to trap them in your homemade stench tent – that said; it was impossible not to think of this definition when i read what now becomes a WILD recipe article “it fills the house with the most amazing, meaty goodness smell. I can’t tell you how many times I stuck my nose near the opening of the Dutch oven to get a big whiff.” – never change 😀
FYI don’t search dutch oven 99% of your results will NOT be what youre looking for..i think/hope.
Loved it
Oh my goodness! I made this sauce last night and it was tremendous! Wow….sooo good. And so incredibly easy. I followed it exactly except that I forgot to put the parsley in (after having my hubby make a special trip to the store for it). I am sure that would have just enhanced the amazing flavor. This is my new “go to” sauce. Thanks so much for the great recipe!