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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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