Next Post
Brown Sugar Maple Ginger Cookies.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
My family’s favorite Pesto Pasta Bolognese. Slow cooked Italian Bolognese sauce with a mix of meat, vegetables, tomatoes, and a splash of vodka to create the most delicious and rich Bolognese. A little pesto adds a pop of fresh flavor. Serve this sauce over rigatoni pasta and top with plenty of freshly grated parmesan cheese. All it needs is a side of crusty bread for mopping up all that sauce. You simply can’t go wrong with this warming Bolognese.
December recipes are a little different for me. Each one I share really needs to feel special. I don’t just want a dish to serve on Monday night, but one you can serve at your next dinner party too.
With so much entertaining happening during the busy holiday season, we need dinners that are simple, but special, you know?
This Bolognese has become my family’s favorite. My brothers especially love this. It’s perfect to serve while everyone is home for Christmas break!
I first made this for my older brother. My siblings have been asking me to make them a good, classic Bolognese dinner for years. I knew when I finally decided to make this recipe that I had to get the sauce just right. It took a few rounds of testing – but no one seemed to mind.
Each version was slightly different, but the recipe I landed on is truly perfect.
It has a few elements that really make it extra special.
The details
What’s awesome about this sauce is that it’s mostly hands-off and simply simmers on the stove all day long. In fact, it’s even better if you can make the sauce the day before to really allow the amazing flavors to develop.
Start by cooking some pancetta. The pancetta is pretty traditional in an Italian style Bolognese and adds a really deep flavor to the sauce. Next add in the veggies, then all the meats. I love to use a combination of ground beef, bison, and pork.
When the meat is browned, stir in the tomatoes and cook until they really coat all of the meat. Then add some vodka, just like you’d make an alla vodka sauce. The vodka balances the tomatoes and creates the most flavorful sauce.
Stir in water and simmer the sauce with thyme and a parmesan rind.
Finish it up
The longer you can cook the sauce over low heat, the better. The more time it has to cook, the more flavor it will develop. And as I said, this is great for making the day before too.
When you’re ready to serve, just boil off some pasta and then toss the sauce with the pasta. I usually add a handful of parmesan cheese too. Then just serve and enjoy! Oh, and be sure to serve with chunks of crusty bread for mopping up all that sauce…delicious.
This recipe feeds a lot, probably way more than you need, so chances are you’ll have leftovers. And those leftovers…they are amazing.
You can serve throughout the week with pasta or make cheesy stuffed peppers (our favorite). You can also freeze the leftover sauce too. The options are endless!
Looking for other family dinner recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Cider Braised Short Ribs with Caramelized Onions
30 Minute Coq au Vin Chicken Meatballs
Lastly, if you make my family’s favorite Pesto Pasta Bolognese be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
My Family’s Favorite Pesto Pasta Bolognese
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 783 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 4 ounces pancetta, chopped
- 1 yellow onions. chopped
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground bison
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 cans (6 ounce) tomato paste
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 1 can (28 ounce) crushed tomatoes
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 parmesan rind
- 1 cup milk
- 1/3 cup basil pesto
- cooked pasta, for serving
Instructions
- 1. In a large dutch oven, cook the pancetta over medium heat, until crispy, 5 minutes. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and red pepper, and cook until the veggies are softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook 1 minute.2. Add the beef, bison, and pork. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat as it cooks, until browned all over, 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook 5 minutes, then pour in the vodka. Add the crushed tomatoes, 3 cups water, and fish sauce. Stir in the thyme, bay leaf, and parmesan rind. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 2-3 hours or up to all day. If the sauce seems dry at any point, add up to 1 cup water. 3. Discard the thyme, bay leaf, and parmesan rind. Stir in the milk and pesto, cook until warmed through, 10-15 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, boil the pasta until al dente. Drain and add back to the pot. Ladle the sauce over the pasta and toss to combine. Divide the pasta among bowls and ladle the bolognese over top. Serve topped with parmesan, and fresh herbs. Enjoy!
This post was originally published on December 6, 2021
I want to try this. Wondering if I can use veggie broth rather than vodka and how much would I use? TIA!
Hey Jenn,
Totally, just use an equal amount of veggie broth in place of the vodka. I hope you love this recipe! xT
Amazing as always, thanks Tieghan! The fish sauce surprisingly adds a delicious depth of flavour.
Thanks so much, Samantha! Love to hear this dish was enjoyed, I appreciate you making it! Happy New Year! xxT
I have made this recipe several times now, it is one of our favorites! Was curious if this recipe would do well in a slow cooker?
Hey Megan,
Love to hear this recipe is always enjoyed, thanks for making it! Totally, the slow cooker would be a great option here. Let me know how it turns out! xx
Made this weekend and WOW! Easy to assemble, the house smelled amazing all day and my guests raved about it all night!
Hi Karen,
Fantastic!! I’m so glad to hear this recipe turned out nicely for you, thanks a bunch for making it! Have the best week!🎄☃️ xT
Hi! Which of your cocktails would you suggest be paired with this meal? Serving it up for a dinner party this weekend! Can’t wait!!
Hey Katie,
Here are some recipes you might enjoy:
https://fett-weg.today/cinnamon-apple-bourbon-smash/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> https://fett-weg.today/cider-punch/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> https://fett-weg.today/ginger-apple-moscow-mule/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> I hope this helps! xT
This my all time favorite pasta recipe. The flavors have such depth and the taste is perfectly balanced. I absolutely love the fish sauce added and I now save ever parmesan rind I have in preparation for this recipe. I cannot say enough about this recipe. I have made it for cold days at home and nice holiday dinners. It is a crowd pleaser and make me feel like a little chef. One substitution I usually make is using fire roasted tomatoes vs just crushed. My family likes the change in flavor (happy accident).
Hey Megan,
Happy Monday! So glad to hear this recipe is always enjoyed, thank you so much for making it so often! Have a great week! xT
Hello! Excited to try and wanted to use some boneless beef ribs. Can I use in place of beef and bison? Thanks!
Hey Ashley,
Sure, I bet that would work nicely for you! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
Love this Recipe. It certainly is a favorite of our family
Hey Cleo,
Happy Monday!! So glad to hear that this recipe always turns out well for you, thanks a bunch for making it! xT
The link for tomato paste routes to Target Rao’s Spicy Arrabiata sauce. Can I use regular tomato paste or does it have to be Rao’s? Thanks!
Hey Henry,
You can use any tomato paste that you like:) I hope you love this dish, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
Making this a second time, cause it’s just TOO good! First time was just ground beef, excited to try with pork & bison today!
Curious, what size is your Dutch oven? It was tricky to get all the meat browned last time, maybe need a bigger pot.
Thank you for sharing such wonderful recipes! We absolutely love the cookbook & online resource!
Hey Babs,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe and your comment, love to hear that it turned out well for you! I used a 9 quart pot. Have a great Monday! xT
Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe! Made this last night for a group of 12ppl and still have some sauce left over. Followed the recipe exactly and it was fantastic!
Hey there! Thank you so so much for trying out the recipe! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment as well! 🙂 xT
Hi! Can you use fire roasted crushed tomatoes?
Hi there! I haven’t tried that before but that should work fine! 🙂 xT
So if I make it the day before, do I just refrigerate the sauce and reheat the next day on the stove? Do I add anything to it to help it heat well?
Hey Liberty,
You bet! No need to add anything:) I hope you love this recipe! xT
How much pasta for this 8 serving? One pound??
I make an 8 hr bolognese usually, but today I didn’t have that kind of time. Your recipes are always delicious so we tried this version today. Kid you not- incredible for only 2-3 hrs. It’s delicious- I will be making this one again!
Hi Raven! Thank you so so much! Love to hear that you enjoyed this recipe 🙂 xT
Hello Tieghan
Would it work if I mixed ground beef and ground chicken no pork or bison?
thanks in advance
Jeanne
Hi there! Yes, that should work totally fine! xT