Looking for a hearty and comforting pasta sauce? This White Bolognese Sauce is a creamy, flavorful twist on the classic red sauce, featuring ground pork, aromatic herbs, and a luscious milk-based finish. Perfect for pairing with pappardelle, spaghetti, or rigatoni!
Ingredients
- 4 oz pancetta, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 pounds ground pork
- Salt, to taste
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 10 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 2-inch Parmesan rind
- 1 cup whole milk
Instructions
Step 1: Sauté the Pancetta
In a Dutch oven or large pot, cook the diced pancetta over medium-high heat for 5-10 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Vegetables
Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced carrots, celery, and onion to the pot. Sauté for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened.
Step 3: Brown the Pork
Increase heat to medium-high. Add ground pork and minced garlic, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook for 5-8 minutes, seasoning lightly with salt.
Step 4: Deglaze and Simmer
Pour in white wine and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the pot. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly reduced.
Step 5: Add Broth & Herbs
Stir in chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, nutmeg, and Parmesan rind. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook over medium-low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Step 6: Finish with Milk
Stir in whole milk, cover, and cook for 45-60 minutes until the sauce thickens. Uncover towards the end if a thicker consistency is desired.
Step 7: Final Touches
Skim off any excess grease from the top. Stir, taste, and adjust salt as needed.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!
Toss the White Bolognese Sauce with pappardelle, spaghetti, or rigatoni for a rich and comforting meal. Enjoy!

Pro Tips for the Best White Bolognese
Use fresh herbs: Fresh thyme and rosemary enhance the depth of flavor. Choose a good white wine: A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works best. Slow and low is key: Simmering the sauce slowly helps the flavors meld beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use a different type of meat?
Yes! While ground pork is traditional for white Bolognese, you can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or even veal.
2. What can I use instead of white wine?
You can replace white wine with extra chicken broth or a splash of apple cider vinegar for acidity.
3. How do I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
4. Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! The flavors develop even more overnight, making this an excellent make-ahead dish.
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White Bolognese Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
Looking for a hearty and comforting pasta sauce? This White Bolognese Sauce is a creamy, flavorful twist on the classic red sauce, featuring ground pork, aromatic herbs, and a luscious milk-based finish. Perfect for pairing with pappardelle, spaghetti, or rigatoni!
Ingredients
- 4 oz pancetta, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 pounds ground pork
- Salt, to taste
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 10 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 2-inch Parmesan rind
- 1 cup whole milk
Instructions
In a Dutch oven or large pot, cook the diced pancetta over medium-high heat for 5-10 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Vegetables
Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced carrots, celery, and onion to the pot. Sauté for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened.
Step 3: Brown the Pork
Increase heat to medium-high. Add ground pork and minced garlic, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook for 5-8 minutes, seasoning lightly with salt.
Step 4: Deglaze and Simmer
Pour in white wine and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the pot. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly reduced.
Step 5: Add Broth & Herbs
Stir in chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, nutmeg, and Parmesan rind. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook over medium-low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Step 6: Finish with Milk
Stir in whole milk, cover, and cook for 45-60 minutes until the sauce thickens. Uncover towards the end if a thicker consistency is desired.
Step 7: Final Touches
Skim off any excess grease from the top. Stir, taste, and adjust salt as needed.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!
Toss the White Bolognese Sauce with pappardelle, spaghetti, or rigatoni for a rich and comforting meal. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes