• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Work with Me
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

Two Cloves Kitchen

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Work with Me
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Work with Me
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Meal » Dinner

    Published: Sep 18, 2022 · Modified: Feb 15, 2023 by Genevieve · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Linguine Bolognese

    • Facebook
    • Email
    A dish of linguine with meat sauce is shown with the words Linguine Bolognese and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
    A dish of linguine with meat sauce is shown with the words Linguine Bolognese and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
    A dish of linguine with meat sauce is shown with the words Linguine Bolognese and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
    A dish of linguine with meat sauce is shown with the words Linguine Bolognese and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
    A dish of linguine with meat sauce is shown with the words Linguine Bolognese and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
    A dish of linguine with meat sauce is shown with the words Linguine Bolognese and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.

    A traditional bolognese recipe, or linguine alla bolognese, is very meat-forward and, while delicious, could stand a healthy upgrade to make you feel good serving it to your friends or family on a weeknight. This Linguine Bolognese offers you the comfort of a rich pasta dish with lots of added vegetables.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    A plate of linguine bolognese is topped with parmesan cheese and parsley.

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I'll send you recipes & tips every week!

    Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
    Loading
    Jump to:
    • What You'll Need
    • How to Make
    • Variations
    • FAQ
    • Expert Tips
    • How to Store
    • How to Pair
    • More Recipes You'll Love
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Someone very close to me (who shall remain unnamed!) eats every vegetable on a plate first to "get it over with" so that they can then enjoy their meal. I served this dish to them and the whole dish was eaten quickly and happily with no special attention to the vegetables at all.

    While it's not a feeling I understand (I LOVE vegetables), I considered this a major achievement. Across many different variations of this bolognese - with lamb, beef, bison, turkey - the result was the same: clean plates!

    Do try different meats/what you have on hand, here. Lamb and bison were favorites in my house, but beef and turkey are much easier to come by and often less expensive. Find that block of ground meat at the back of the freezer on a busy weeknight and toss in the veggies you have on hand.

    If you don't have zucchini, try some summer squash. If you don't have green bell pepper, try a red or yellow bell pepper, some celery, a jalapeño, or a handful of spinach!

    This tomato-based meat sauce is designed to be super versatile, so try out different combinations and see what you like best.

    What You'll Need

    Two Cloves Kitchen, as an Amazon Affiliate, makes a small percentage from qualified sales made through affiliate links at no cost to you.

    Bolognese Sauce

    • Ground Meat Bolognese is most commonly made with beef, but try branching out with what you have on hand or what your family prefers. Try lamb, turkey, bison, venison or pork here. All are excellent options.
    • Vegetables I recommend the vegetables we have liked best below: zucchini, carrots, green bell pepper, and mushrooms. You can try making substitutions, omissions or additions like celery, yellow or red bell peppers or some summer squash.
    • Canned Tomatoes I like to use whole peeled tomatoes from Cento that I crush by hand as I add the tomatoes to the pot.
    • Onion Yellow or sweet onion will work here.
    • Fresh Garlic
    • Red Wine I would use something you would like to drink as it will impart that flavor to the sauce. If you don't have any red wine in your home, try a bit of white wine or even a tablespoon of red wine vinegar.
    • Extra Virgin Olive Oil It's always nice to use the best quality olive oil you can, but it is less important in this dish. There are so many other interesting flavors that a very high-quality oil would be less noticeable here.
    • Italian Seasoning I like a seasoning that has actual pieces of herbs and spices more than a powder. This is my favorite Italian seasoning of all time. It's sold by a company local to me with the nicest owners.
    • Kosher Salt I buy this 3-pack of Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt and it lasts for a very long time. It's important to keep in mind that kosher salt will affect the flavor of your food differently—it is a different shape than table salt and sea salt, and delivers less "salty" flavor per teaspoon because it is less compact.
    • Parmesan Cheese I like to use a block of parmesan cheese and grate over the dish once it is finished. This is the way to have the freshest, most flavorful cheese. You can also use pre-grated or pre-shaved parmesan cheese or a bit of another hard, salty cheese like pecorino.
    • Fresh Herbs like basil and parsley are nice here, but optional.
    • Chili Flake I use chili flake to wake up the dish with a bit of spice, but it is also optional.
    • Fennel Seed If you haven't tried fennel seed in a tomato sauce, please give this a try. It adds a warm sweetness to the sauce.
    • Bay Leaves I like bay leaves as they add a very subtly peppery, piney note to dishes and are also optional.

    Pasta

    • Linguine pasta, or another pasta of your choosing

    How to Make

    Step One Finely dice your vegetables. Chop the onion and slice garlic.

    Diced carrot, celery, mushrooms, green bell pepper, zucchini, onion, and sliced garlic sit on a white cutting board.

    Step Two Add the veggies, season with salt, and cook for 4 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently until soft. Remove from the pan.

    The diced vegetables are sweated in a stainless steel pan.

    Step Three Add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes, until soft.

    Garlic is added to the vegetables sweating in the pan.

    Step Four Brown the ground beef or other meat, season with salt, and add the chili flake and fennel seed, if using.

    Ground beef is browned in a stainless steel pan.

    Step Five Deglaze with the wine.

    Red wine is added to the ground beef in the pan.

    Step Six Add the veggies and crushed tomatoes to the pot or pan. Add the bay leaves if using. Season with salt and stir. Bring up to a boil and down to simmer. Cook for 20 minutes.

    Crushed whole peeled tomatoes are added to the browned meat and vegetables.

    Step Seven Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Make linguine.

    Step Eight Once finished cooking, toss the pasta with the sauce. If the mixture seems too dry, stir in a bit of reserved pasta water.

    Divide the pasta and sauce between your serving dishes, about a cup of the pasta per person, and serve the pasta bolognese!

    An overhead shot is shown of a dish of linguine bolognese topped with parmesan and parsley on a white and blue linen.

    Variations

    • Different Proteins: Try this bolognese with different ground meats: beef, turkey, bison, lamb, venison, or pork. They all taste a bit different but are delicious in their own ways.
    • Other Vegetables: Try adding vegetables you have on hand and omit anything you don't have. Don't have any zucchini? Try summer squash (or celery, or more bell pepper!)
    • Tomato Paste For a slightly thicker sauce with a more concentrated flavor, add a bit of tomato paste in with the vegetables.
    • Fresh Herbs: Try adding some fresh herbs just before serving. Parsley and basil are great options.
    • Vegetarian or Vegan: Omit the meat completely for a vegetable-packed vegetarian dish or omit the meat and cheese for a vegan dish. You could also try this chickpea and walnut Vegan Bolognese from our friends at Veggie Inspired!

    FAQ

    What is bolognese?

    Bolognese is a classic variety of Italian meat sauce (or ragú) originally from Bologna. It is typically made with beef, pork, veal, or a combination of these meats. The meat is cooked with carrots, celery, onions, and tomato.

    Our version varies a bit in that it is cooked for a shorter period of time, is more tomato-forward, and adds lots of extra veggies!

    Can I use a different pasta shape?

    Absolutley! What kind of pasta should you use? Try any other long or short pasta shape (but avoid very small shapes, like pastina). Rigatoni and other small tube pastas are great because they can hold some of the sauce.

    Can I freeze bolognese?

    You can. Cool completely, transfer to a freezer-safe container, and store for up to 3 months. To reheat, store in the fridge overnight to thaw and then heat in a saucepan on the stove.

    Be sure to bring up to a boil and then down to a simmer for food safety reasons.

    Expert Tips

    • Brown your meat well before adding the wine and tomatoes. This will add flavor and texture to your dish. If your meat is not properly browned, it can effectively boil (which no one wants).
    • For the best al dente pasta, cook for one minute less than the box directions.
    • If your sauce is a bit too thick, add some of the pasta water to thin it out.

    How to Store

    You can store your cooked bolognese for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. It reheats easily in the microwave or on the stovetop. Place in a saucepan and heat over medium-low to medium heat until it is warmed through.

    Cooked linguine can be refrigerated for 3 to 5 days. I recommend cooking the pasta when you are ready to eat, but if you have some leftovers, feel free to store in the fridge and reheat them along with the sauce.

    You can also freeze bolognese. The texture of the vegetables may suffer a bit, but it won't lose any nutritional content. It will maintain its quality best for about 3 months.

    How to Pair

    This pasta is excellent as a standalone meal. It is also great with:

    • A simple garden salad with lemon herb vinagraitte
    • A hunk of a good baguette
    • Some cheesy garlic bread or gluten free focaccia

    More Recipes You'll Love

    Try these great pasta and pasta sauce recipes:

    Penne al Salmone

    Penne al Baffo

    Spaghetti Arrabbiata

    Tomato and Mascarpone Sauce

    Aglio Olio e Peperoncino

    Lobster Ravioli Sauce

    Bacon and Pumpkin Pasta

    📖 Recipe

    A bowl of linguine bolognese topped with parmesan cheese and parsely sits on a blue and white linen.

    Linguine Bolognese

    Rich, hearty, versatile linguine bolognese packed with veggies for a delicious, quick, family-friendly meal.
    5 from 39 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 small or 4 large
    Calories: 393kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 2 Stock Pots

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound ground meat beef, bison, lamb, venison, pork or turkey
    • 12 ounces linguine
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
    • 4 cloves garlic sliced
    • 1 small onion yellow or sweet, diced small
    • 1 small carrot diced small
    • 1 small green bell pepper diced small
    • 1 small zucchini diced small
    • 1 cup mushrooms about 6-7, diced small
    • 28 ounces canned tomatoes crushed
    • ½ cup red wine
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning a seasoning with bigger pieces of seasoning is best instead of a powder
    • ¼ teaspoon fennel seed optional
    • pinch red pepper flake optional
    • 2 bay leaves optional
    • 3 teaspoons kosher salt or to taste, plus more for pasta water
    • parmesan cheese optional
    • fresh herbs like basil or parsley, optional

    Instructions

    • Dice onion, carrots, green bell pepper, zucchini, and mushrooms. Try to keep your dice even so that the vegetables cook evenly.
    • Slice garlic and set aside.
    • Place a pot of water to boil. Salt generously.
    • Place a stock pot or large pan over medium heat and add the oil. Once the oil is just shimmering, add the carrots, onion, green bell pepper, zucchini, mushrooms and a pinch of salt and cook for about 4-8 minutes, until lightly browned and just tender. Stir and monitor heat to ensure nothing gets too dark.
    • Add garlic. Cook for approximately 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until garlic has softened. Remove vegetables from the pan.
    • Add ground meat, 1 teaspoon salt, and chili flake and fennel seed if using. Brown for approximately 4-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Deglaze the pot or pan (pour the liquid in and use a wooden spoon to scrape any brown bits from the bottom) with the red wine.
    • Add Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, bay leaves, and crushed tomatoes. Add the vegetables back to the pot or pan. Bring the sauce up to a boil and then down to a simmer.
    • Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Check for seasoning. If the sauce needs more salt, add more here a pinch at a time.
    • At about the 11 minute mark, add the linguine to the boiling water. Once done, strain.
    • Add linguine either directly to the pot of sauce, stir thoroughly, and then serve, or add linguine to a bowl and ladle the sauce over. Top with parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired.

    Notes

    • My favorite ground meats to use here are bison and lamb. However, beef, pork and turkey all work well, too.
    • If using turkey, be sure to use meat no leaner than 90/10.
    • Try different vegetables here - try adding celery, summer squash or a red, yellow or orange bell pepper. Omit any vegetables you don't have on hand. This sauce is designed to be versatile.
    • If you don't have any red wine on hand, try using white wine or 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar.
    • You can use whole peeled tomatoes in place of crushed. Just crush each tomato into smaller pieces in your hand as you drop it in the pot.
    • Try a different pasta shape, like spaghetti or rigatoni. Follow box directions for cook times.
    • For a vegetarian option, omit the meat for a vegetable-packed tomato sauce.
    • For a vegan option, omit the cheese as well or substitute with a vegan cheese product.
    • Let me know if there are any other veggie combos you love in this recipe!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 1051mg | Potassium: 694mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1328IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 3mg

    More Dinner

    • A grilled sockeye salmon fillet garnished with chopped herbs is served on a plate with grilled vegetables.
      Grilled Sockeye Salmon Recipe
    • A close-up of Bavarian potato salad with bacon pieces, red onions, green onions, and garnished with fresh dill, being lifted by a metal fork.
      Authentic Bavarian Potato Salad with Bacon
    • A wooden bowl filled with orzo pesto salad mixed with arugula, sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and herbs, accompanied by two wooden serving utensils.
      Orzo Pesto Salad with Feta and Tomatoes
    • A close-up of beer-battered fish tacos topped with pickled red onions, salsa, and a drizzle of crema, served with a slice of lime on a white plate.
      Crispy Beer-Battered Fish Tacos
    • Facebook
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christa says

      August 10, 2024 at 11:24 am

      Yummy sauce and I love all the veggies in it! My new favorite for pasta night!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 14, 2024 at 7:09 pm

        Thanks so much, Christa!

        Reply
    2. kushigalu says

      October 11, 2022 at 5:20 am

      My family loved this bolognese recipe. A total crowd pleaser. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        October 11, 2022 at 5:49 am

        I’m so happy your family enjoyed it! Thank you!

        Reply
    3. Ieva says

      October 11, 2022 at 5:04 am

      5 stars
      The best vegetable-packed bolognese I've found so far! Definitely healthier than most, and certainly a very nice tasting one! I couldn't believe it came together in just about half an hour as well! Thanks for the recipe 🙂

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        October 11, 2022 at 5:50 am

        Thank you, Ieva! I’m glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    4. MacKenzie says

      October 11, 2022 at 3:45 am

      5 stars
      This was sooo GOOD. I loved how simple it was to make and the addition of all the fresh veggies. My kids even came back for seconds. 🙂

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        October 11, 2022 at 4:13 am

        Yay! I’m so happy to hear that. Thanks MacKenzie!

        Reply
    5. Anjali says

      October 10, 2022 at 11:37 pm

      5 stars
      I love how balanced and healthy this recipe is!! A total crowd pleaser for sure!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        October 11, 2022 at 4:10 am

        Thank you, Anjali!

        Reply
    6. Nikki says

      October 10, 2022 at 11:00 pm

      5 stars
      This hearty and healthier bolognese is going in my dinner rotation ASAP! Yum!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        October 11, 2022 at 4:14 am

        Thanks Nikki! Glad you enjoyed.

        Reply
    7. Glenda says

      September 14, 2022 at 11:32 pm

      5 stars
      What a delicious bolognese! Our pasta dinner was amped up a notch because of this delectable sauce. a real winner!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        September 19, 2022 at 3:10 am

        Thanks, Glenda!

        Reply
    8. Allyssa says

      September 14, 2022 at 1:12 pm

      5 stars
      This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make linguine bolognese recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        September 19, 2022 at 3:10 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    9. Cam says

      September 14, 2022 at 1:50 am

      5 stars
      This was really delicious and tasty! Would definitely make this again and again!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        September 19, 2022 at 3:10 am

        Thanks Cam!

        Reply
    10. Greta says

      July 31, 2022 at 4:30 am

      5 stars
      I made this recipe for lunch today and everybody loved it. I recommend it. It's super delicious

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        August 02, 2022 at 5:58 pm

        Thank you, Greta!

        Reply
    11. Sherrie says

      July 30, 2022 at 1:17 am

      5 stars
      I love any excuse to eat veggies or pasta or both!! What a great healthy upgrade you gave this! Hubby and I loved it!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        July 30, 2022 at 4:14 pm

        I’m so happy you liked it - thanks Sherrie!

        Reply
    12. Shelby says

      July 30, 2022 at 12:17 am

      5 stars
      Love all the veggies added in, made for a really hearty meal and the kids loved the sauce!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        July 30, 2022 at 4:15 pm

        I always love hearing the kids enjoyed it. Thanks Shelby!

        Reply
    13. Jennifer says

      July 29, 2022 at 12:09 pm

      5 stars
      I love all the veggies in this recipe! The kids loved the noodles and gobbled up the sauce so it was a win-win! Delish!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        July 29, 2022 at 3:33 pm

        So glad it was a hit! Thanks Jennifer!

        Reply
    14. Claire says

      July 29, 2022 at 10:52 am

      5 stars
      This was truely delicious!!!
      We have made it with turkey mince and also beef mince and both times it was amazing!
      I love the veggies in it and I was surprised that all of my kids demolished it! It is very rare that all 5 will eat something without picking a part of it out!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        July 29, 2022 at 3:32 pm

        I am so so pleased that all 5 kids liked this dish. Thank you, Claire!

        Reply
    5 from 39 votes (27 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Photo shows chef Gen La Rocca,  a woman with blonde hair styled in a side braid, wearing a blue sweater and yellow apron.

    Hi, I'm Gen! Welcome to Two Cloves Kitchen. I am a professional chef, lifelong recipe creator, writer, and editor. As a native Californian and a major food lover, I am constantly developing new California-inspired dishes with bold flavor to share with you here on the site.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • A turkey smash burger on a wooden cutting board in front of subway tile.
      The Best Turkey Smash Burgers
    • A baking dish full of chicken enchiladas is surrounded by cut limes, a halved avocado, and cilantro.
      Chicken Slow Cooker Enchiladas
    • A closeup of hearty marinara sauce in a wooden spoon over a pot of finished marinara sauce.
      Hearty Marinara Sauce Recipe
    • Pickled serrano peppers are shown in a glass jar surrounded by garlic, serrano peppers, and a fork.
      Quick and Easy Pickled Serrano Peppers

    The Best Winter Recipes

    • A baking dish full of chicken enchiladas is surrounded by cut limes, a halved avocado, and cilantro.
      Chicken Slow Cooker Enchiladas
    • lamb breast on a white platter with thyme.
      Roasted Lamb Breast Recipe
    • Two halves of a roasted chicken on a white platter with parsley and lemons.
      Roasted Half Chicken Recipe
    • Three bowls of chicken cabbage soup with parsley.
      Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Ginger

    STAY UP TO DATE!

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    for California-inspired recipes, weekly meal planning inspiration, and lots of bold, fresh flavor!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Disclosures

    Contact

    • Work with Me
    • Contact

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Two Cloves Kitchen

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Close