JoMaine’s Kitchen: Homemade Bolognese 🍝
- Jermaine Antonio Gill
- May 27
- 3 min read
Updated: May 30
It’s been a little while since the last JoMaine’s Kitchen post, but life has been busy lately… especially in the real estate world. Between showings, appointments, contracts, and everything in between, finding time to slow down and cook has honestly felt really nice.
And if I’m coming back to the kitchen, I’m coming back with comfort food.
This week I’m making bolognese. Rich, hearty, slow-simmered, and the kind of sauce that makes the whole house smell amazing. It’s one of those recipes that feels classic in the best way possible. Simple ingredients, cooked low and slow, turning into something that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen.
Honestly, there’s something about pasta sauces that just feel comforting. Maybe that’s why so many of you asked for them when I asked what recipes you wanted to see more of in JoMaine’s Kitchen. So don’t worry, there’s still plenty more coming.
What Is Bolognese?
Bolognese is a rich Italian meat sauce traditionally made with ground meat, vegetables, tomatoes, wine, and herbs that slowly simmer together to build deep flavor.
Unlike a quick marinara, bolognese is all about patience. The longer it cooks, the better it gets. The vegetables soften, the wine reduces, and everything comes together into a sauce that’s hearty, savory, and perfect over fresh pasta.
This version combines ground beef, Italian sausage, fresh herbs, and red wine for a comforting homemade sauce that tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2 pound ground beef
6 ounces Italian sausage, casing removed
1 cup red wine
18-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1/4 teaspoon dried)
1 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped (or 1/4 teaspoon dried)
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
Directions
Step 1
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Add the ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned.
Step 2
Deglaze the pan with red wine and allow it to reduce slightly.
Add the crushed tomatoes, rosemary, sage, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together and reduce the heat to low.
Simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Step 3
Serve over fresh, hot pasta and enjoy.
Tips for the Best Bolognese
Let it simmer low and slow. The flavor gets better with time.
Fresh herbs make a big difference, but dried herbs work in a pinch.
Save a little pasta water to help the sauce cling to the noodles.
This sauce tastes even better the next day.
Comfort Food Worth the Wait
Some recipes are quick. Others ask you to slow down a little, and honestly, I think we need more of that sometimes.
Bolognese is the kind of meal that brings people to the table, keeps everyone lingering a little longer, and somehow makes a busy week feel less hectic.
And after the pace of the last few weeks in real estate, this was exactly the kind of recipe I needed.
If there’s another pasta sauce or comfort food recipe you’d like to see in JoMaine’s Kitchen, let me know. I’m always looking for ideas for what to whip up next.
From the kitchen to the closing table, this is JoMaine’s Kitchen. I’m JoMaine, a realtor. If you’re buying or selling, let’s connect.
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