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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.
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!
It’s just finishing up right now and smells amazing cannot wait to try it ❤️
Hi Kari,
Happy Holidays! Thank you so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!?? xTieghan
I haven’t even added the pesto or milk/cream yet, and the flavor is awesome!!! Love it!
That’s literally where I am at too! So tasty already!
Thanks so much for making the recipe Tracy!!
My parm rind disintegrated. Is that normal lol
Lol yes, that’s okay!
Hi Lynn,
Happy Holidays! Thank you so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!?? xTieghan
This is currently simmering and -wow it is amazing and my house smells so good!
Hi Tracy,
Happy Holidays! Thank you so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!?? xTieghan
Any substitutes for the vodka? Something non-alcoholic?
Hi Kait,
You can use broth in place of the vodka. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Hi! Is it 2 6oz cans of tomato paste or 1 6oz total?
Cans of tomato paste usually come in 6 oz. So I am pretty sure the author intended the readers to use two cans (6 oz each, for a total of 12 oz)
Hi Alanah,
You will want to use 2 of the 6 ounce cans. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Any idea on substitute for the milk? Saw this on your insta and I cant wait to try!
Hi Harriet,
You can use a dairy free milk if you like. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Hi. If I don’t have a Dutch oven, can I use a stainless steel pot?
any substitution for fish sauce? Also in video you say cream but in recipe you say milk.
Hi Kelly,
You can use soy sauce or Worcestershire in place of the fish sauce, cream or milk is great to use! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Hi Carlie,
Yes, that will work well for you! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Wow This was absolutely amazing!!! Made this tonight with no substitutions and it was incredible. It also made a LOT so I am able to freeze some for a future meal! Might also use as a lasagna base? Definitely recommend making this.
Hey Jessica,
Wonderful! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! Happy Holidays!?? xTieghan
Could you make this without vodka for someone that is pregnant? Or after cooking doing the vodka not matter?
Hi Shannon,
The alcohol will cook out, but you can always use broth just in case. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan, I love your recipes. I make at least 1 or 2 of yours a week. I want to try this, but I’m wondering if you could put it in the instant pot to cut down on cook time? Would it still be as good? Thanks for your time & for the amazing recipes!
Hey Tereasa,
Yes, I would add everything to the instant pot and cook on high pressure for 12-15 minutes. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! Thanks for sharing this recipe. Is there a fat content you recommend for the meats? 80/20?
Hey Casey,
Yes, 80/20 is great. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Hi, how big is the rind I should put?
Hi Anna,
I would say about 3-4 inches, but doesn’t need to be exact. I hope you love the recipe, happy holidays! xTieghan
This was exactly like a true restaurant style bolognese! I made this for a Christmas party and blew all my guests away!
Hey Paige,
Awesome! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it. Happy Holidays!❄️ xT
Can you leave out the milk or does it change the overall taste?
Hi Sarah,
I like to add the milk for a bit of creaminess:) Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Making this for my family on Christmas Eve and very excited! How many lbs of pasta would you recommend for 4 people?
Hi Nicole,
If you only want 4 servings, cut the recipe in half, or just follow the recipe as is to have some leftovers:) Please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This was super delicious. I made it for friends christmas potluck. I tried with and without pesto both are good but pesto definitely made a difference to the taste.I also made my parents try it and they also love it!!!. Thanks for the recipe.
Hey Mer,
Happy Friday! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed. Thanks so much for making it and happy holidays!❄️ xTieghan
Could I cook the sauce then leave in the crockpot on low for the day to simmer? Seems like it could work?
Excited to try this recipe!
Hi Rebecca,
Totally! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
How much Pasta do you usually cook with this? 2 lbs?
Hi Nancy,
I would use 1-2 pounds of pasta. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan