Bolognese Sauce
Johana Leeflang on why this decadent sauce is the ultimate comfort food.
🎄Servus from Vienna, where Christmastime means drinking one too many sticky-sweet mugs of Glühwein at the Christmas markets.
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It fills your home with an irresistible aroma that lingers long after dinner.
It’s easy to fall in love with Bolognese sauce.
While in Barcelona, I chat with Johana Leeflang about Bolognese sauce as we excitedly tuck into a comforting bowl of pasta.
Most of the world knows Bolognese sauce from the dish spaghetti Bolognese. However, it’s a highly controversial dish as in Italy, Bolognese sauce is never served with spaghetti, but rather with tagliatelle. The mayor of Bologna even once stated that spaghetti Bolognese does not exist and is fake news.
And while the debate rages on about which pasta type is best for Bolognese sauce, one thing is clear — the world has fallen in love with Bolognese sauce itself.
What's your favorite food?
Pasta with Bolognese sauce. Also often referred to as Ragú - although the internet claims that it’s not the same thing
Why is this your favorite food?
It’s my ultimate comfort food. I love the acidity of the tomato sauce, the thickness of the sauce paired with a perfectly al dente pasta, and in my case, it’s always more sauce-to-pasta ratio.
Describe the perfect Bolognese sauce.
It’s rich and indulgent. The sauce strikes a perfect balance: the acidity of the tomato passata, the depth of red wine (though I know some prefer white), a subtle creaminess from the milk, and that unmistakable warmth that comes from slow-cooking it for at least three hours. That last detail doesn’t just elevate the flavor—it fills your home with an irresistible aroma that lingers long after dinner.
My ideal recipe swaps out pork mince for fennel sausage, though that can be tricky to find here in Barcelona, my current home base. To make up for it, I toast fennel seeds with the aromatics at the start of the process (before browning the meat). It’s a small adjustment, but it adds that extra oomph—the kind of touch that makes a good Bolognese truly unforgettable.
Any interesting facts?
Seemingly Ragu and Bolognese are not the same dish contrary to popular belief. I used to use both names interchangeably but this is not the case. But since I am not Italian, I don’t need to be politically correct.
At least I don’t put pineapple on pizza.
What’s one memory you have of Bolognese sauce?
This dish is a relatively recent addition to my repertoire—not one I grew up with, but something I began making as an adult. Let’s rewind to December 2020, in the midst of the second wave of the pandemic. I was in Berlin, visiting a friend in the heart of Mitte (if you know, you know). We were watching a live stream of an Andrea Bocelli concert, sitting in her cozy living room, all dressed to the nines (with a touch of glamour—some of us might have been rocking fur).
To kick off the evening in the best possible way, we indulged in my homemade Bolognese, which had been simmering all day, filling the apartment with its rich aroma. The night unfolded beautifully, with plenty of wine and an impromptu at-home karaoke session. It was one of those rare moments of joy and connection in an otherwise challenging year—made even better by the comfort of good food and great company.
Where can I get the best Bolognese?
Bologna. Concretely. Osteria dell'Orsa - while it is touristy (with over 16K reviews on Google), the place is super quaint, the staff is lovely and most importantly the Bolognese is chef’s kiss. 🤌
❤️ Thank you Jo for your saucy take on this classic dish and another wonderful meal together.