Bolognese sauce

Bolognese sauce, or 'ragù alla bolognese', is a rich, meat-based sauce originating from Bologna, Italy. It's traditionally made with a slow-cooked mixture of ground beef and/or pork, soffritto (onion, celery, carrot), tomatoes, wine, and a touch of milk or cream for tenderness.

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🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This sauce is primarily a source of protein and fat from the meat, with moderate carbohydrates from the vegetables and any added tomatoes or wine. A typical serving (about 1/2 cup) provides around 200-250 calories, along with iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	250 kcal
Protein	18 g
Carbs	12 g
Fat	14 g
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	6 g
Sodium	680 mg
Potassium	450 mg
Iron	3.5 mg
Vitamin A	150 mcg
Vitamin C	15 mg
Calcium	60 mg
Phosphorus	200 mg
Vitamin B12	1.5 mcg
Zinc	3 mg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Authentically, it's not meant to be overly tomato-heavy; the meat is the star, and it's traditionally served with fresh tagliatelle pasta rather than spaghetti to better hold the hearty sauce.