Rich, creamy, and utterly satisfying — this fettuccine Bolognese combines a luscious tomato-cream sauce with hearty beef or sausage, perfect for cozy dinners or elegant gatherings.
12ozfettuccine pastause high-quality pasta for best results
1lbground beef or Italian sausageadds hearty flavor
1smallonionchopped
2clovesgarlicminced
14ozcrushed tomatoes
1cupheavy cream
1/2cupParmesan cheesegrated
2tbspolive oil
salt and pepperto taste
fresh basil or parsleyfor garnish
Instructions
Gather and prepare all ingredients: chop the onion, mince the garlic, and measure out pasta and cream.
Cook the fettuccine in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent, then add garlic and cook for another minute.
Add the ground beef or sausage. Cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
Stir in crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Pour in heavy cream and stir until combined into a smooth sauce.
Simmer the sauce for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add reserved pasta water as needed for consistency.
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well until coated. Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to taste.
Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with mushrooms or lentils. To lighten it up, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or milk. Great served with garlic bread and a green salad.