Share This
Come wintertime, there’s nothing I crave more than a rich, hearty meal that warms you from the inside out. When I hosted a post-holiday dinner party, I wanted to serve a few comfort food classics with a little twist, and this red wine and sausage Bolognese was just the thing. Made with Italian sausage, tomatoes, garlic, fresh aromatics, and a generous helping of herbs, this homemade Bolognese sauce simmers low and slow until all those wonderful flavors come together. A splash of Kendall-Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon adds another layer of richness, making this a red wine pasta sauce worth taking your time over.
Whether you’re planning a cozy night in or hosting friends for dinner, this sausage Bolognese recipe is a delicious way to bring everyone around the table. Serve the hearty meat sauce over your favorite pasta, whether that’s fettuccine, rigatoni, or pappardelle, and finish with a generous shower of freshly grated Parmesan. Better yet, make the sauce a day ahead, since a little extra time allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Set the table, pour a glass of your favorite red wine, and get ready for the kind of comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner that has everyone reaching for seconds.
Why Add Red Wine to Bolognese Sauce?
A splash of red wine can make a good Bolognese sauce even better. As it simmers with the Italian sausage, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, the wine adds depth and helps bring all those savory flavors together. It also brings a touch of acidity that balances the sweetness of the tomatoes, giving the sauce a richer, more rounded taste. In this recipe, Kendall-Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon is a natural choice, adding character to a hearty sauce that's well worth letting simmer low and slow.
Tips for Making the Best Sausage Bolognese
The secret to a really good sausage Bolognese is giving the ingredients time to come together. Let the onion and green pepper soften before adding the garlic, then cook the sausage with the herbs until everything is fragrant. Once the red wine and tomato sauce go in, keep the heat low and let the sauce simmer gently for at least two hours. The longer cooking time gives the flavors a chance to develop, so resist the urge to rush it.
A few other things worth keeping in mind:
- Let the sauce simmer gently. A slow, steady simmer helps the flavors develop without letting the sauce cook down too quickly.
- Season as you go. Italian sausage, tomato sauce, and Parmesan all bring their own saltiness, so taste the sauce before adding more salt.
- Save a little pasta water. Stirring a splash into the sauce just before serving can help it cling to the noodles.
- Make it ahead. If you have the time, prepare the sauce the day before. An overnight rest in the refrigerator gives the flavors more time to meld, making it a great option for entertaining.
What Pasta Goes Best with Sausage Bolognese?
A hearty sauce like this one deserves a pasta that can hold its own. Pappardelle and fettuccine are wonderful choices, thanks to their wide, flat noodles that catch plenty of sausage and tomato sauce in every bite. If you prefer short pasta, rigatoni is another great option, with ridges and hollow centers that scoop up all that rich, savory goodness. Honestly, there's no wrong answer here. Use whatever pasta you love, add a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, and bring it all to the table while it's hot.
Red Wine & Sausage Bolognese Recipe
Recipe Type:
Entree
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
135 minutes
Total Time:
150 minutes
Servings:
4
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3-4 large garlic cloves, diced
- ½ a green pepper, chopped finely
- 1 medium sized tomato, chopped
- 4 Italian sausages, casing removed and roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp. dried oregano
- 1 tbsp. dried basil
- 1 tbsp. dried thyme
- ¼ cup Kendall-Jackson Cabernet
- 2 tsp. fennel seeds
- 28 oz. good quality tomato sauce
- ¾ cup water
- 2-3 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp. sugar
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat.
- Add onion, green pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes, until onion is translucent.
- Toss in the garlic and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Add your tomato, sausage, oregano, basil and thyme. Stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Toss in the Kendall-Jackson red wine and stir.
- Add fennel seeds, black pepper and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Next, toss in the tomato sauce, water, bay leaves, sugar, and a generous pinch of salt. Add lid and bring to a slow boil. Stir, reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours (the longer the better!)
- Pour overtop your noodle of choice, top with freshly grated parmesan and enjoy!
What is the Best Red Wine for Bolognese?
When it comes to choosing a red wine for Bolognese, look for a wine with enough body and character to stand up to the rich sausage and tomato sauce. Kendall-Jackson's red wine portfolio offers a few delicious options, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, red blends and more. Each brings its own personality to the pot, making it easy to find a bottle that suits your taste.
For this sausage Bolognese recipe, Vintner's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a natural choice, adding depth to the hearty sauce. Prefer something softer and more approachable? Vintner's Reserve Merlot is worth reaching for, while Winemaker's Red Blend offers another versatile option. Whichever bottle you choose, there's no need to spend a fortune on a cooking wine. Pick a red you enjoy drinking, use it in the sauce, and pour yourself a glass to enjoy alongside dinner.
FAQs
Can I use Cabernet Sauvignon in Bolognese sauce?
Absolutely! Cabernet Sauvignon is a great choice for Bolognese because its bold character stands up well to the savory sausage and rich tomato sauce. Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon works particularly well in this recipe, and you can enjoy the same wine alongside dinner.
Can I make sausage Bolognese without red wine?
Yes. You can leave out the wine and use a little extra water or broth instead. The finished sauce will have a slightly different flavor, but the Italian sausage, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs will still give it plenty of savory character.
How long should sausage Bolognese simmer?
For this recipe, plan on simmering the sauce for at least two hours over low heat, with three hours allowing more time for the flavors to develop. Keep the heat low enough for a gentle simmer, stir occasionally, and add a splash of water if the sauce becomes too thick.
Can I make Bolognese sauce the day before?
Definitely, and it's a great option when you're entertaining. Prepare the sauce a day ahead, let it cool, and refrigerate it in a covered container. Reheat it gently on the stove before serving. The extra time also gives the flavors a chance to meld.
Can I freeze sausage Bolognese sauce?
Yes. Let the sauce cool, then transfer it to airtight, freezer-safe containers. For best quality, use it within about three months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating thoroughly on the stove. If possible, freeze the sauce separately from the pasta so the noodles don't become soft.
What pasta goes best with sausage Bolognese?
Pappardelle, fettuccine, and tagliatelle are excellent choices because their broad strands pair well with a hearty meat sauce. Rigatoni is another good option, with ridges and hollow centers that catch the sauce. Choose whichever shape you enjoy most.
