• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
Platings and pairings logo.
Start Here
All Recipes
Perfect Pairings
Wine Travel
About
Home

Creamy White Bolognese Sauce (Bolognese Bianco)

Jump to Recipe

|

Posted by:

Erin Lynch

|

Updated:

April 8, 2025

|

4.95 from 17 votes

This site runs ads and generates income from affiliate links. Disclosure policy.

White bolognese sauce pinterest image.
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard
  • Email

This White Bolognese Sauce combines beef & Italian sausage in this silky, rich & delicately spiced sauce that’s perfect for topping a bowl of pasta!

Bowl of pasta topped with white bolognese sauce and parmesan cheese.

Save This Recipe!

Enter your email address to get a link to this post conveniently in your inbox!

Save Recipe

Table of Contents

  • Ingredients needed
  • How to make it
  • How to serve it
  • How to make ahead + store
  • What to serve with it
  • Erin’s wine pairings
  • Full Recipe

Iโ€™m definitely a pasta fiend. Give me bowls topped with Vodka Sauce, Broccoli Pesto, or my Nanaโ€™s Sunday Gravy any night of the week and Iโ€™ll be a happy girl. 

Today I’m sharing a new recipe for white sauce bolognese.

Why youโ€™ll love this recipe

This White Bolognese Meat Sauce recipe starts off by browning some Italian sausage and ground beef. Then, it’s fed with a splash of white wine. Next, in goes a blend of spices – nutmeg, allspice and bay. These warming spices up the comfort factor, and the result is a big pot of the most silky, rich, and delicately spiced sauce that’s perfect for topping a bowl of al dente pasta.

You can devour it as is, or sprinkle on a bit of parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for even more flavor.

Overhead shot of creamy white bolognese sauce pasta in pink bowl.

I can tell you that I ate this White Bolognese Meat Sauce for both lunch and dinner, four days straight, and I didn’t get tired of it… And, although my Nana’s Sunday Gravy will always reign supreme in my book for it’s nostalgia, this White Bolognese Sauce definitely comes in at a close second and will be filling in on those days when I get bored of our family’s traditional red sauce.

Reader

Love



5 stars
Made this today and it was spectacular. The only adjustment I made was to brown 4 oz. diced pancetta along with the beef. Used a nice dry Falanghina white wine. This bolognese is perfect over pappardelle. Don’t skimp on the nutmeg!

–

Tess

Ingredients needed

Ingredients for white bolognese sauce labeled on counter.
  • Meat – I use a combination of ground beef and sweet Italian sausage. Feel free to use all ground beef if you prefer. Or, try adding swapping the Italian sausage for ground pork.
  • Olive Oil & Butter – I prefer to use unsalted butter so that I can control the seasoning.
  • Onion, Carrot, Celery – The holy trifecta of veggies. Feel free to leave any out.
  • Garlic – I use 3 cloves, but feel free to throw caution to the wind and use more!
  • Allspice, Nutmeg, Bay Leaf, Kosher Salt + Pepper
  • White Wine – A dry wine like Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc works best. The wine is optional and can be left out. Just add a splash more of the chicken broth.
  • Milk – Lends a silkiness to the sauce.
  • Chicken Broth – Or, swap in some of my homemade slow cooker bone broth.
  • Fresh Parsley
  • Parmesan Cheese

How to make it

Browned meat in pot.

Step 1

Brown the meat

  • Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add butter and when the foaming subsides, add the meat, breaking up with a spoon as it cooks.
Meat, carrots, celery and onions in pot.

Step 2

Add the aromatics

  • Once the meat is browned, add the carrot, celery, onion, garlic, bay leaf, nutmeg and allspice to the pot and cover with a lid.
  • Cook 10-12 minutes, to sweat the vegetables, stirring occasionally.
Simmered white bolognese meat sauce in pot.

Step 3

Simmer

  • Add the white wine and allow to boil and evaporate.
  • Add broth and milk, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes over low heat.
Sauce in pot with parmesan.

Step 4

Cook the pasta and serve

  • While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Cook the pasta to al dente, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid before draining.
  • Drain the pasta and add to the sauce along with the parmesan and reserved pasta water.
  • Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley and additional parmesan. Enjoy!

How to serve it

  • Serve this meat sauce over noodles like pappardelle or spaghetti, potato gnocchi, or serve it over a bed of creamy polenta. 
  • Use it in place of marinara sauce when making these tortellini in cream sauce.
  • Garnish plates with a sprinkling of fresh grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil or parsley. 

How to make ahead + store

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. You can also freeze it for up to three months. I like to freeze it in individual portions. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge, or heat over very low heat on the stove. 

Overhead close up of white meat sauce on bowl of pasta.

What to serve with it

  • Italian Chopped Salad
  • Radicchio Salad
  • Easy Sauteed Spinach
  • Kale Caesar Salad
  • Balsamic Glazed Brussel Sprouts
  • Arugula Salad
  • MORE —> the BEST sides for pasta

Erin’s wine pairings

Try an Italian wine with this White Bolognese Meat Sauce –

  • If you’re feeling fancy, and looking to splurge, try a Barolo or Barbera wine – Their round fruit flavors will compliment this dish nicely.
  • For a lower priced option, try a Chianti – It’s tannins and acidity will pair well with the creamy flavors in this pasta.
  • Looking for something a bit lighter? Try a Lambrusco – Its slight effervescence and acidity will stand up nicely to the rich meat sauce.

More pasta recipes

  • Chicken Piccata Pasta

    new!

    Chicken Piccata Pasta

  • One-Skillet Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata

    new!

    One-Skillet Creamy Tomato Gnocchi with Burrata

  • Chili Crisp Fettuccine Alfredo

    new!

    Chili Crisp Fettuccine Alfredo

  • Easy Crab Spaghetti (15-Minute Recipe)

    new!

    Easy Crab Spaghetti (15-Minute Recipe)

  • Caramelized Cabbage Pasta with Pecans

    new!

    Caramelized Cabbage Pasta with Pecans

  • Easy Chorizo Mac and Cheese (30-Minute Recipe)

    new!

    Easy Chorizo Mac and Cheese (30-Minute Recipe)

Browse More Pasta Dinners

PLUS โ†’ 30+ Ground Beef Pasta Recipes

Did you try this white bolognese recipe?

If you loved this white meat sauce recipe, I would appreciate it so much if you would leave a โญ๏ธstar reviewโญ๏ธ! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.

Save This Recipe!

Enter your email address to get a link to this post conveniently in your inbox!

Save Recipe – Before Recipe Card

Bowl of pasta topped with white bolognese sauce and parmesan cheese.

Full Recipe

White Bolognese Sauce

This White Bolognese Sauce recipe combines beef & Italian sausage in this silky, rich & delicately spiced sauce that's perfect for topping a bowl of pasta!
4.95 from 17 votes
Print Pin
Serves 6 people
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 1 hour hr
Total Time: 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Equipment

  • Dutch Oven
  • Large Pot

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 3/4 pound sweet Italian sausage (casings removed)
  • 2 medium carrots (finely chopped)
  • 2 stalks celery (finely chopped)
  • 1/2 onion (minced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon allspice
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 1/2 cups white wine (or dry vermouth)
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup 2% milk
  • 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and when the foaming subsides, add the meat, breaking up with a spoon as it cooks.
  • Once browned, add carrot, celery, onion, garlic, bay leaf, nutmeg and allspice to pan and cover. Cook 10-12 minutes, to sweat the vegetables, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the white wine and allow to boil and evaporate. Add broth and milk, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes over low heat.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta to al dente, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid before draining. Drain pasta and add to the sauce along with the parmesan and reserved pasta water.
  • Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with the fresh parsley and additional parmesan, if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

How to make ahead & store
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. You can also freeze it for up to three months. I like to freeze it in individual portions. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge, or heat over very low heat on the stove.ย 

Nutrition

Calories: 606kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 952mg | Potassium: 634mg | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3835IU | Vitamin C: 9.8mg | Calcium: 237mg | Iron: 2.7mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

This recipe was originally published in 2019. It was updated in 2024 to add new photographs. The white bolognese recipe (bolognese bianco recipe) remains the same. Enjoy!

  • Facebook
  • Flipboard
  • Email
4.95 from 17 votes (14 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

26 responses

  1. Annette
    March 6, 2019

    Can the sauce be prepared the day before a party?

    Reply
    1. Erin
      March 7, 2019

      It sure can! I find it even better the next day.

      Reply
  2. 32 Drool Worthy Pasta Recipes | Teaspoon of Goodness
    May 23, 2019

    […] White Bolognese Meat Sauce […]

    Reply
  3. sim
    April 19, 2022

    how will this recipe be if i use lean ground beef? And chinese cooking wine instead?

    Reply
    1. Erin
      April 20, 2022

      Hi Sim – Lean ground beef will work great. I believe that Chinese cooking wine has some additional spices added in – like cinnamon and nutmeg, but those flavors would work with this sauce!

      Reply
  4. Stewball
    May 6, 2024

    5 stars
    Looks wonderful.

    I’ve got a problem. I subscribed for the insanely good 5 recipes but hit subscribed when I was filling in my name and so there is
    an error. Name should be Stewball. Is it possible for you to correct my error?

    Reply
    1. Erin
      May 9, 2024

      Hi! I fixed you ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
โ†Older Comments
1 2

Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. โ™ฅ

Know More

Follow Me on Social!

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • X
  • YouTube

Recent Recipes

  • Grilled Lamb Chops with Crying Tiger Sauce
  • Italian Green Beans
  • Cucumber Edamame Salad
  • Chicken Piccata Pasta
  • French Lentil Salad
  • Green Shrimp
  • Roasted Fennel & Artichoke Hearts
  • Mexican Street Corn Potato Salad

Dish Type

30 Minute Meals
Appetizer Recipes
Cocktail Recipes
Dessert Recipes
Healthy Recipes

Cooking Method

Air Fryer Recipes
Grilling Recipes
Instant Pot Recipes
Slow Cooker Recipes
Sous Vide Recipes

Ingredient

Beef Recipes
Chicken Recipes
Lamb Recipes
Pork Recipes
Seafood Recipes

Cocktails

Classic
Gin
Margarita
Moscow Mule
Vodka

Sides

Bread
Potatoes
Rice
Salad
Vegetables

Travel

Australia
California
Europe
Hawaii
Italy
About Me
Contact
Privacy Policy

ยฉ All Rights Reserved.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.