High-Protein Bolognese Sauce Recipe

Introduction

This High-Protein Bolognese Sauce is a rich and hearty twist on the classic Italian favorite. Packed with lean meats and creamy cheeses, it delivers both flavor and nutrition, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 8 oz Italian sausage, casings removed
• ½ cup chopped onion
• ½ cup chopped carrots
• ½ cup chopped celery
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup beef broth or red wine
• 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 tsp oregano
• 2 tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• ½ cup cream cheese (can use low-fat)
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them into smaller chunks. Cook until browned.
2. Step 2: Using a food processor, mince the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic until finely chopped. Add the mixture to the browned meat in the pan and cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
3. Step 3: Process the cottage cheese in the food processor until smooth, about 2 minutes. Stir the smooth cottage cheese into the meat and vegetable mixture.
4. Step 4: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, beef broth or red wine, balsamic vinegar, oregano, basil, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes. Mix well.
5. Step 5: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer the sauce gently for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. Step 6: Add the cream cheese to the sauce and stir until melted and fully incorporated. Finally, stir in the chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef and sausage with lentils or textured vegetable protein while keeping the rest of the ingredients the same.
• Using red wine instead of beef broth adds depth and richness to the flavor.
• If you prefer a smoother sauce, blend part or all of the sauce before adding the cream cheese.
• Serve over your favorite pasta, zucchini noodles, or use as a hearty topping for baked potatoes.

Storage

Store the bolognese sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. This sauce also freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this sauce in advance?

Yes, the flavors develop beautifully when the sauce sits overnight, making it a great make-ahead meal.

What can I substitute for cottage cheese if I don’t have any?

You can substitute ricotta cheese or Greek yogurt for a similar creamy texture in the sauce.

High-Protein Bolognese Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 141 reviews

A rich and flavorful high-protein Bolognese sauce that combines lean ground beef, Italian sausage, and cottage cheese for a creamy, nutritious twist on a classic Italian favorite. This sauce simmers with fresh vegetables, herbs, and a hint of balsamic vinegar, making it perfect for serving over pasta, zoodles, or your favorite low-carb base.

• Author: Amaya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

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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 Seasonings

• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup beef broth (or red wine)
• 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 tsp oregano
• 2 tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. 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 into smaller chunks with a spoon. Cook until the meat is thoroughly browned and no longer pink.
2. Prepare and Cook Vegetables: Using a food processor, mince the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until finely chopped. Add this vegetable mixture to the browned meat in the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.
3. Incorporate Cottage Cheese: Process the cottage cheese in the food processor until smooth, approximately 2 minutes. Stir the smooth cottage cheese into the meat and vegetable mixture in the pan.
4. Add Tomato Paste and Tomatoes: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavor. Then add the crushed tomatoes, beef broth or red wine, balsamic vinegar, oregano, dried basil, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes to the pan.
5. Simmer the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer gently for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to allow flavors to meld.
6. Finish with Cream Cheese and Parsley: Stir in the cream cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce, then mix in the chopped fresh parsley. Adjust seasoning as needed and serve warm.

Notes

• Using cottage cheese adds protein and creaminess without extra fat.
• You can substitute beef broth with red wine for deeper flavor.
• For a lighter version, use low-fat cream cheese.
• This sauce pairs well with pasta, spiralized vegetables, or as a hearty topping for baked potatoes.
• Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Keywords: high-protein bolognese, creamy bolognese, Italian sausage sauce, healthy bolognese, cottage cheese sauce, low-fat Italian sauce