Description
A hearty and protein-packed Bolognese sauce combining lean ground beef, Italian sausage, and cottage cheese for a creamy texture. This rich and flavorful sauce is simmered with aromatic vegetables, tomato paste, and herbs, making it perfect for serving over pasta or using in various Italian dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 8 oz Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup cream cheese (can use low-fat)
Vegetables
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped carrots
- ½ cup chopped celery
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Tomato and Liquids
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth (or red wine)
- 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
Seasonings
- 2 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Brown the meat: Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add lean ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them into smaller chunks. Cook until browned and cooked through, ensuring meat is evenly cooked.
- Prepare and cook vegetables: Using a food processor, finely mince the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Add this vegetable mixture to the browned meat in the pan. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.
- Add cottage cheese: Process the cottage cheese in the food processor until smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir the smooth cottage cheese into the meat and vegetable mixture, incorporating it well to add creaminess.
- Incorporate tomato paste and liquids: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to develop flavor. Then add the crushed tomatoes, beef broth (or red wine), balsamic vinegar, oregano, dried basil, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer gently for 40-45 minutes, stirring occasionally. This slow simmer allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
- Finish with cream cheese and parsley: Add the cream cheese to the simmering sauce, stirring continuously until it melts completely and the sauce becomes creamy. Finally, stir in the chopped fresh parsley to add a fresh herbal note before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute beef broth with red wine for a deeper flavor profile.
- Using low-fat cream cheese will reduce fat content without compromising creaminess.
- Simmering time can be extended up to an hour for a richer sauce, just ensure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Serve over your favorite pasta or use as a base for lasagna or stuffed peppers.
- Chopping vegetables in a food processor saves prep time and ensures even cooking.
