High-Protein Bolognese Sauce Recipe
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.
- 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
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 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Find it online: https://amayaharis.com/high-protein-bolognese-sauce-recipe/
