Never tried this in the oven before, but I’ve gotten do it again soon! Everyone loved it!

This Baked Bolognese Sauce is a rich, deeply flavored classic that’s perfect for a special Sunday dinner. By slow-baking the sauce in the oven, you allow all the ingredients to meld together into a complex and savory masterpiece. The long, gentle cooking process transforms simple ingredients into a velvety-smooth, luxurious sauce that’s worth the wait.

Baked Bolognese Sauce

Ingredients:

How To Make Baked Bolognese Sauce:

1. Prep & Sauté Vegetables: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). In a large oven-safe Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 7-10 minutes.
2. Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef and ground pork to the pot. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink.
3. Add Liquids & Simmer: Pour in the whole milk and simmer until it has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add the white wine and continue to simmer until it has reduced by half, about another 5 minutes.
4. Combine Ingredients: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Bake: Bring the sauce to a simmer, then cover the Dutch oven and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake the Bolognese sauce for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
6. Serve: Remove from the oven and discard the bay leaves. If desired, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese for additional richness. Serve the sauce hot over pasta, in lasagna, or as desired.