Why You’ll Love this Italian Bolognese with Red Wine
When you’re craving a hearty pasta sauce that delivers rich, complex flavors, this Italian Bolognese with red wine absolutely hits the spot. The combination of Italian sausage with shredded zucchini and carrots creates a sauce that’s both meaty and packed with hidden vegetables. Perfect for picky eaters.
I love how the red wine elevates the entire dish, adding depth that water or broth just can’t match. And the slow simmer? That’s where magic happens. Two hours might seem long, but trust me, it’s worth every minute as the flavors meld together. Serve it over your favorite pasta with freshly grated Parmesan. Comfort in a bowl.
What Ingredients are in Italian Bolognese with Red Wine?
This Italian Bolognese with red wine brings together a wonderful blend of savory and aromatic ingredients that create a rich, complex sauce. You’ll notice that unlike some traditional Bolognese recipes that use beef, this version calls for Italian sausage, which adds a beautiful depth of flavor right from the start.
The vegetables in this recipe are shredded rather than diced, allowing them to practically melt into the sauce during the long, slow cooking process.
- 2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 (20-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 3 cups shredded zucchini
- 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
When shopping for these ingredients, the quality of your tomatoes and red wine can make a noticeable difference in the final sauce. A medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Merlot works wonderfully here, and don’t worry about the alcohol—it cooks off during the long simmer, leaving just the flavor behind.
For the Italian sausage, you can choose mild or hot depending on your preference for spice, which you can further adjust with the red pepper flakes.
And while the recipe doesn’t specify, fresh Parmesan for topping just before serving is practically vital, providing that perfect finishing touch of salty, nutty flavor.
How to Make this Italian Bolognese with Red Wine
Making this Italian Bolognese is wonderfully simple, though it does require patience—good things come to those who wait, right?
Start by heating 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add your 1 pound of Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it browns. Once the sausage has some nice color, toss in the 1/2 finely chopped onion and 1 clove of minced garlic, letting them become fragrant and translucent, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
Now comes the fun part—adding the vegetables and seasonings. Mix in the 3 cups of shredded zucchini and 1 1/2 cups of shredded carrots, stirring to combine with the meat mixture. The vegetables will release moisture as they cook, creating a wonderful base for our sauce.
Sprinkle in the 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to your heat preference), 1 tablespoon of dried basil, and 1 teaspoon of dried oregano. Give everything a good stir, then pour in 1 cup of red wine, allowing it to simmer and reduce slightly while scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot—those little bits are packed with flavor, trust me.
Finally, add the 2 cans of crushed tomatoes and 1 can of tomato sauce, stirring to incorporate all those beautiful ingredients. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially with a lid, and let this gorgeous mixture simmer gently for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
The slow cooking allows all the flavors to meld together and develop that rich, complex taste that makes Bolognese so special. For an elevated outdoor cooking experience, consider preparing this sauce on premium outdoor grills that provide exceptional temperature control for perfect simmering. When it’s ready, serve the sauce over your favorite pasta—spaghetti, pappardelle, or rigatoni all work wonderfully—and don’t forget to top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for that perfect finishing touch.
The cheese melts slightly into the hot sauce, creating little pockets of creamy, salty goodness in every bite.
Italian Bolognese with Red Wine Substitutions and Variations
For those seeking to customize this classic Italian dish, several delicious substitutions and variations can transform your Bolognese into something uniquely yours.
Can’t use red wine? Try beef broth with a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar for comparable depth.
Vegetarians might swap Italian sausage for mushrooms or plant-based alternatives—portobello provides that meaty texture we crave.
Not a zucchini fan? Bell peppers or eggplant work beautifully.
I’m particularly fond of adding a splash of cream at the end for richness.
And while traditional Bolognese uses fettuccine, any pasta shape works—rigatoni catches those delicious meat bits wonderfully.
What to Serve with Italian Bolognese with Red Wine
Now that you’ve mastered the perfect Bolognese, let’s talk about completing your Italian feast with complementary sides.
I always recommend a crisp Caesar salad with homemade croutons to cut through the richness of the sauce.
Garlic bread, brushed with olive oil and fresh herbs, is non-negotiable in my book.
Want something lighter? A simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette works beautifully.
For wine pairing, stick with Italian reds like Chianti or Sangiovese – they echo the red wine in your sauce.
Can’t decide? Just remember, the best side is anything that soaks up that glorious sauce.
Final Thoughts
After spending countless hours perfecting this Italian Bolognese recipe, I’ve come to believe it’s the little details that transform a good sauce into something extraordinary. The slow simmering allows flavors to meld, while the red wine adds depth that water or broth simply can’t match.
Don’t rush this process. Let those aromas fill your kitchen, teasing your senses before the first bite. Remember, Bolognese isn’t just dinner—it’s a culinary embrace that connects us to generations of Italian home cooks who understood the power of patience.
Ready to create your own soul-warming masterpiece? Your wooden spoon awaits.
