Description
This High-Protein Bolognese Sauce is a rich, hearty, and flavorful Italian-inspired meat sauce packed with lean ground beef, Italian sausage, and a unique blend of cottage and cream cheese for added creamy texture and protein. Perfect for a comforting family meal, it combines fresh vegetables, herbs, and a touch of balsamic vinegar to create a balanced, savory sauce that pairs wonderfully with pasta or vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Oil
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 8 oz Italian sausage (casings removed)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped carrots
- ½ cup chopped celery
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
Dairy
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup cream cheese (can use low-fat)
Tomato & Liquids
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth (or red wine)
- 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
Herbs & Spices
- 2 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them into smaller chunks. Cook until browned and cooked through, ensuring even browning for maximum flavor.
- Prepare and Cook the Vegetables: While the meat cooks, process the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and garlic in a food processor until finely minced. Add this vegetable mixture to the browned meat and cook for about 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Incorporate Cottage Cheese: Process the cottage cheese in the food processor until smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir this creamy cheese into the meat and vegetable mixture in the pan to add protein and creaminess.
- Add Tomato Paste and Seasonings: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen its flavor. Then add the crushed tomatoes, beef broth (or red wine), balsamic vinegar, oregano, basil, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes. Mix thoroughly to combine all flavors.
- Simmer the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer gently for 40-45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Finish with Cream Cheese and Parsley: Stir in the cream cheese until fully melted into the sauce for added richness. Finally, mix in the chopped fresh parsley for a fresh, herbaceous finish. Serve hot over your favorite pasta or vegetable base.
Notes
- Using lean ground beef and removing sausage casings helps keep the sauce nutritious and less fatty.
- Processing the vegetables finely ensures they integrate well and cook evenly in the sauce.
- Cottage cheese adds protein and creaminess without the heaviness of heavy cream.
- You can substitute beef broth with a dry red wine for deeper flavor.
- Fresh parsley at the end brightens and balances the rich sauce.
