Silky White Bolognese Sauce Recipe: A Dreamy Twist on Classic

Crafting a delightful white bolognese sauce brings unexpected magic to your pasta nights.

Rich cream and tender ground chicken create a luxurious twist on traditional recipes.

Comfort meets elegance in this creamy rendition that breaks classic Italian sauce norms.

Weeknight dinners suddenly feel more special with such an approachable yet sophisticated approach.

Home cooks can easily master this simple yet impressive dish without complicated techniques.

Subtle herbs and smooth textures promise a memorable meal everyone will adore.

Prepare to savor every delectable spoonful of this game-changing sauce.

White Bolognese Sauce That’s Creamy And Unexpected

• Unbelievably Simple Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this white Bolognese sauce with minimal kitchen skills required. No complex techniques needed – just chop, sauté, and simmer.
• Flavor-Packed Comfort Meal: Loaded with rich pancetta, tender ground pork, and aromatic herbs like thyme and rosemary. Each spoonful delivers a warm, hearty embrace of deliciousness.
• Time-Saving Meal Prep Champion: Crafted in one pot with straightforward steps, this sauce becomes a hands-off culinary experience. Simmer quietly while handling other tasks, creating a restaurant-quality dinner without constant monitoring.
• Versatile Pasta Partner: Perfectly complements various pasta shapes from pappardelle to rigatoni. Adaptable for meal prep, entertaining friends, or a cozy family dinner that impresses without overwhelming effort.

What’s Stirred into White Bolognese Sauce

• Pancetta: Adds smoky, salty flavor to the base of the sauce, traditional Italian pork product.
• Ground Pork: Rich, mild meat that creates the hearty foundation of the white Bolognese.

• Onion: Provides sweet, deep base flavor to the sauce, core ingredient in Bolognese.
• Carrot: Adds subtle sweetness and depth, classic mirepoix vegetable.
• Celery: Brings earthy undertone and traditional Bolognese vegetable blend.
• Garlic: Intense, aromatic flavor that enhances overall sauce complexity.

• White Wine: Adds acidity and depth, helps deglaze the pan and tenderize meat.
• Chicken Broth: Creates liquid base and adds rich, savory background flavor.
• Whole Milk: Provides creamy texture and softens the sauce's intensity.

• Bay Leaves: Subtle herbal note, traditional Italian sauce ingredient.
• Thyme: Earthy, slightly minty herb that complements meat dishes.
• Rosemary: Piney, aromatic herb with strong Mediterranean character.
• Nutmeg: Warm, slightly sweet spice that adds complexity.
• Parmesan Rind: Develops deep umami flavor during slow cooking.
• Salt: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall flavor profile.

White Bolognese Sauce Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Crisp Up Pancetta

Heat a Dutch oven and cook diced pancetta until golden and crispy.

The fat will render out, creating a delicious base for the sauce.

Transfer the crispy pancetta to a small bowl and set aside for later.

Step 2: Prepare Vegetable Base

• Carrots
• Celery
• Onions

Sauté the vegetables until they become soft and translucent, releasing their sweet aromatics into the pot.

Step 3: Brown the Meat

Crank up the heat and introduce ground pork to the pot.

Break up the meat with a wooden spoon, allowing it to develop a rich golden color.

Sprinkle in minced garlic for an extra flavor punch.

Step 4: Splash and Deglaze

Pour white wine into the pot, creating a sizzling moment that lifts all the delicious browned bits from the bottom.

Let the wine reduce and concentrate its flavors.

Step 5: Build the Flavor Profile

• Chicken broth
• Bay leaves
• Fresh thyme
• Rosemary
• Nutmeg
• Parmesan rind

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it bubble away, developing deep, complex flavors.

Step 6: Create Creamy Texture

Introduce whole milk to transform the sauce into a luxurious, creamy delight.

Allow the sauce to simmer and reduce, thickening gradually and becoming more intense.

Step 7: Perfect the Seasoning

Skim off any excess fat from the surface.

Taste and adjust the seasoning, ensuring a balanced and rich flavor profile.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the white Bolognese over your favorite pasta like pappardelle or rigatoni.

Sprinkle with the reserved crispy pancetta for an extra layer of texture and flavor.

White Bolognese Tips For Rich, Creamy Flavor

• Crisp the pancetta until it's deeply golden for a rich, smoky base that adds depth to the sauce's overall taste.
• Dice carrots, celery, and onions uniformly to ensure even cooking and balanced texture throughout the sauce.
• Use whole milk at room temperature to prevent curdling and create a smooth, creamy consistency that perfectly coats pasta.
• Choose a dry white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc to add subtle acidity and complement the meat's richness.
• Allow the sauce to simmer gently, letting flavors meld and develop complexity, which transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish.

White Bolognese Sauce Stored Smooth and Saucy

• Store leftover white Bolognese sauce in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator, keeping flavors locked in tight.
• Portion the sauce into freezer-safe containers or bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Warm the sauce in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of chicken broth or milk to restore moisture and prevent sticking.
• Transfer a single serving to a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Delicious Pairings For Bolognese Sauce

• Pair with Crisp Chardonnay: Select a medium-bodied, unoaked California Chardonnay to complement the white sauce's rich, creamy texture and delicate pork flavors.
• Elevate with Parmesan Crostini: Create golden, crispy bread slices topped with grated parmesan to add a crunchy contrast and enhance the sauce's savory notes.
• Match with Fresh Arugula Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the sauce's richness and provide a peppery, bright counterpoint.
• Serve with Herbed Focaccia: Bake a warm focaccia bread infused with rosemary and thyme to mirror the sauce's herb profile and provide a perfect dipping companion.

White Bolognese Sauce Twists

• Vegetarian White Bolognese: Replace ground pork with finely chopped mushrooms and lentils for a protein-packed meat-free version that maintains the rich, creamy texture.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute whole milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk, and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan rind to keep the sauce's creamy consistency.
• Lean Protein Option: Swap ground pork with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter, lower-fat alternative that still delivers deep, complex flavors.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Ensure all ingredients are gluten-free certified, and serve over zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta to make the dish completely wheat-free and celiac-friendly.

FAQs

• What makes white Bolognese different from traditional Bolognese sauce?

White Bolognese uses white wine and milk instead of red wine and tomatoes, creating a lighter, creamier sauce with a more delicate flavor profile.

• Can I substitute the ground pork with another meat?

Yes, you can use ground veal, chicken, or a mix of ground meats. Each will slightly change the sauce’s flavor and texture, but the cooking method remains the same.

• Is the parmesan rind necessary for the recipe?

The parmesan rind adds depth and richness to the sauce, but if you don’t have one, you can skip it or add extra grated parmesan at the end for flavor.

• How do I prevent the milk from curdling when adding it to the sauce?

Cook the sauce on low heat and stir frequently. Adding the milk gradually and maintaining a gentle simmer helps prevent curdling and ensures a smooth, creamy texture.

White Bolognese Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy white bolognese sauce elevates pasta with rich Italian comfort. Delicate milk-based ragu blends tender ground meat and herbs, offering a luxurious twist on classic Bolognese that will delight pasta enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 pounds ground pork
• 4 ounces (113 grams) pancetta, diced

Vegetables:

• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

Herbs, Seasonings, and Liquids:

• 1 cup dry white wine
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 bay leaves
• 10 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2-inch parmesan rind
• Salt, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the base flavor by rendering diced pancetta in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until crisp and golden, releasing its rich, savory essence. Transfer the pancetta to a side plate, preserving the rendered fat.
2. Lower the heat and introduce a mirepoix of finely chopped carrots, celery, and onions into the pot. Sauté the aromatics until they become translucent and tender, developing a soft, sweeter profile.
3. Elevate the heat and introduce ground pork and minced garlic, methodically breaking down the meat with a wooden spatula. Season minimally, allowing the natural flavors to bloom while achieving a light golden sear.
4. Deglaze the pot with white wine, vigorously scraping the caramelized bits from the bottom, creating a complex flavor foundation. Allow the liquid to reduce and concentrate its essence.
5. Incorporate chicken broth, aromatic herbs like bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary, along with a whisper of nutmeg and a parmesan rind. Gently simmer, covering the pot to let the flavors meld and develop depth.
6. Gradually stream in whole milk, transforming the sauce’s texture and softening its intensity. Continue simmering, partially covered, until the liquid reduces and the consistency becomes luxuriously thick.
7. Skim any excess fat from the surface, taste, and adjust seasoning to balance the sauce’s complex flavor profile. Remove herb stems and parmesan rind.
8. Serve the robust white bolognese cascading over your preferred pasta, creating a harmonious blend of rustic elegance and comfort.

Notes

• Swap pancetta with turkey bacon or plant-based bacon for a lighter, healthier version that reduces saturated fat while maintaining rich flavor complexity.
• Select ground pork with moderate fat content around 15-20% to ensure sauce remains creamy and luxurious without becoming excessively greasy.
• Use dry white wines like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc that offer bright acidity to enhance the sauce’s depth without overwhelming other delicate ingredients.
• Consider adding nutritional yeast or cashew cream for dairy-free alternatives that maintain the signature silky texture and provide similar richness to traditional milk and parmesan components.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg