How long does it take to make this Bolognese sauce?

The total time to make this Bolognese sauce is 30 minutes.

What should I do to prevent the minced beef from going gray?

Create a well in the center of the pan and sweat the minced beef quickly to prevent it from turning gray.

Can I use a different type of wine in this recipe?

The recipe specifically calls for red wine, but you could experiment with other types of wine if desired.

Gordon Ramsay’s Bolognese Recipe

Name: Gordon Ramsay’s Bolognese Recipe
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 medium onion; 1 medium carrot; 2 cloves garlic; 400 g minced beef; 1 tablespoon tomato puree; 150 ml red wine; 400 g chopped tomatoes; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 2 tablespoons milk (inferred from 'couple of tablespoons')

CChannel 4 FoodYouTube30 minutesserves 4

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Original video by Channel 4 Food on YouTube2:24

About this recipe

Gordon Ramsay’s Bolognese is a quick and delicious take on the classic pasta sauce, perfect for a weeknight dinner. This recipe focuses on maximizing flavor while keeping the process simple, making it accessible even for those on a budget.

By grating the vegetables and sweating the minced beef, Ramsay ensures that every ingredient cooks evenly and contributes to a rich, hearty sauce that’s ideal for pasta or lasagna.

Ingredient notes

Use medium onion and carrot for the best flavor balance.
The recipe calls for 400g of minced beef, but you can substitute with ground turkey or chicken if you prefer a lighter option.
The milk is added at the end for a smooth finish; you can use whole milk or a non-dairy alternative.

Tips from Channel 4 Food’s video

Grating the onion and carrot helps them cook faster and blend into the sauce more smoothly.
Sweating the minced beef in the center of the pan prevents it from turning gray, which is key for achieving a rich color and flavor.
Reducing the red wine down to a syrup intensifies its flavor and adds body to the sauce.

Good to know

How long does it take to make this Bolognese sauce?: The total time to make this Bolognese sauce is 30 minutes.
How many servings does this recipe yield?: This recipe yields 4 servings.
What should I do to prevent the minced beef from going gray?: Create a well in the center of the pan and sweat the minced beef quickly to prevent it from turning gray.
Can I use a different type of wine in this recipe?: The recipe specifically calls for red wine, but you could experiment with other types of wine if desired.

No life story here — the video and the recipe are the whole point. All credit to Channel 4 Food: watch the original on YouTube.

The recipe

Serves 4 servingsTime 30 minutes

Ingredients

Steps

1
Grate the onion and carrot to help them cook faster.
2
Heat a pan and add olive oil.
3
Add the grated vegetables to the pan and lightly season them.
4
Crush the garlic and add it to the pan along with dried oregano, cooking for 1.5 to 2 minutes without browning the vegetables.
5
Create a well in the center of the pan and add the minced beef, sweating it off to prevent it from going gray.
6
Once the mince is sweated off, create another well and add the tomato puree, sweating it off to reduce its tartness.
7
Add the red wine to the pan and reduce it down to a syrup to strengthen the flavor.
8
Add the chopped tomatoes and fold them into the mince.
9
Season the mixture with Worcestershire sauce for added heat and spice.
10
Turn down the heat and let the sauce simmer for 5 to 6 minutes.
11
Finally, stir in a couple of tablespoons of milk for a smooth finish.