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White Bolognese Sauce Recipe

4.7 from 67 reviews

This rich and creamy White Bolognese Sauce is a delicious twist on the traditional Italian meat sauce, featuring ground pork cooked with aromatic vegetables, herbs, and finished with whole milk and Parmesan rind for a velvety texture. Perfectly paired with pappardelle, spaghetti, or rigatoni, this sauce offers a hearty and flavorful meal ideal for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Aromatics

  • 4 oz pancetta, diced
  • 2 pounds ground pork
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt, to taste

Vegetables

  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 1 onion, diced

Liquids and Dairy

  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup whole milk

Herbs and Spices

  • 2 bay leaves
  • 10 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 2-inch parmesan rind

Instructions

  1. Sauté Pancetta: In a Dutch oven or large pot, cook diced pancetta over medium-high heat for 5-10 minutes until browned and crisp. Remove pancetta with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
  2. Cook Vegetables: Reduce heat to medium. Add diced carrots, celery, and onion to the pot. Sauté, stirring frequently, for 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are softened and slightly caramelized.
  3. Brown the Pork: Increase heat to medium-high. Add the ground pork and minced garlic to the pot, breaking up the meat with a spatula. Cook for 5-8 minutes or until the pork is browned and cooked through. Season lightly with salt.
  4. Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the dry white wine to deglaze the pot, stirring and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Allow the wine to simmer for 5 minutes until slightly reduced and fragrant.
  5. Add Broth & Herbs: Stir in the chicken broth, bay leaves, fresh thyme, rosemary, nutmeg, and parmesan rind. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Let it cook gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Finish with Milk: Stir in the whole milk, cover again, and continue cooking for 45-60 minutes until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld. For a thicker consistency, uncover during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate.
  7. Final Touches: Skim any excess grease from the top of the sauce. Stir well, taste, and adjust salt as needed.
  8. Serve: Toss the sauce with cooked pappardelle, spaghetti, or rigatoni, or spoon it generously over the pasta. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Meat Variations: Substitute ground veal or ground beef for a different flavor profile.
  • Storage: Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • No Parmesan Rind? You can add ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese when stirring in the milk as a substitute.

Keywords: White Bolognese, white meat sauce, Italian bolognese, pork sauce, creamy pasta sauce, pancetta, comfort food