Rich & Creamy White Bolognese (Ragù Bianco)
This hearty Italian white meat sauce is a luxurious alternative to the classic red version. Packed with savory depth from ground meats, white wine, and cream, it’s perfect for pasta night when you want something extra special.
🧂 Ingredients (Serves 4):
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small carrot, finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup pancetta, diced
- 1/2 lb ground veal
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream
- 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for serving
- Cooked pasta (tagliatelle, fettuccine, or pappardelle recommended)
🍳 Instructions:
1️⃣ Sauté the Vegetables:
🧅 In a large heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery, cooking until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook 1 minute more.
2️⃣ Brown the Meat:
🥩 Add the pancetta, veal, pork, and beef. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up with a spoon, until no longer pink and beginning to brown, about 8–10 minutes.
3️⃣ Deglaze with Wine:
🍷 Pour in the white wine and simmer until almost completely reduced, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
4️⃣ Simmer and Enrich:
🥛 Stir in milk or cream and nutmeg. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently, partially covered, for 30–40 minutes until thick and flavorful.
5️⃣ Finish and Serve:
🧀 Stir in Parmigiano-Reggiano. Toss with hot cooked pasta and serve with more cheese on top.
🛒 Amazon Must-Haves to help you create the best White Bolognese:
- 🍳 Enameled Dutch Oven – Perfect for building flavor and simmering sauces
- 🔪 Vegetable Chopper – Speeds up prep for a perfectly uniform soffritto
- 🍷 White Wine Glasses – Because you’ll want a glass with dinner too
- 🧀 Microplane Zester – For finely grating nutmeg and Parmesan
- 🍝 Pasta Server – Get your sauced noodles to the plate with style
- 🥄 Wooden Spoon Set – Essential for stirring without damaging your pan
💡 Helpful Tip:
This sauce is even better the next day. Store it in the fridge overnight to let the flavors deepen—just gently reheat and toss with pasta for a next-day feast.