Hearty Mushroom Bolognese Recipe: Ina Garten’s Comforting Magic

Hearty vegetarian dishes have a magical way of surprising even the most dedicated meat lovers with their rich, comforting flavors.

The Ina Garten mushroom bolognese recipe delivers an unexpected twist on the classic Italian sauce that will make your taste buds dance.

Meaty mushrooms form the robust foundation of this incredibly satisfying pasta companion.

Each bite promises a deep, umami-packed experience that rivals traditional meat-based versions.

Mushrooms absorb seasonings like culinary sponges, creating layers of complex flavor in every forkful.

The combination of fresh herbs and carefully selected ingredients turns this recipe into a weeknight dinner sensation.

You’ll fall in love with how simple ingredients can create such a profoundly delicious meal that feels both luxurious and hearty.

Cooking Instructions for Mushroom Bolognese

• Mushroom Preparation

Slice fresh mushrooms and get ready to transform them into a rich, velvety sauce that will make your kitchen smell incredible.

• Flavor Building

Sauté the mushrooms until they develop a deep golden color, releasing their earthy aroma and creating a robust base for the sauce.

• Wine Magic

Splash in some red wine to deglaze the pan, lifting all those delicious caramelized bits from the bottom and adding depth to the sauce.

• Tomato Transformation

Introduce crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, creating a luscious sauce that will coat your pasta beautifully with intense Mediterranean flavors.

• Pasta Dance

Boil your favorite pasta until it reaches that perfect al dente texture – tender yet with a slight bite that holds up to the hearty sauce.

• Final Touch

Stir in creamy mascarpone and fresh herbs, allowing the sauce to simmer and develop a luxurious, silky consistency that will make everyone swoon.

• Serving Celebration

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, turning a simple meal into a restaurant-worthy experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Adjust the Seasoning in Ina Garten’s Bolognese

• Choose a variety of fresh mushrooms like cremini, shiitake, or porcini to add depth and complexity to the Bolognese sauce.
• Replace some of the wine with vegetable or mushroom broth to intensify the savory profile and create a richer base for the sauce.
• Experiment with different pasta shapes like rigatoni, pappardelle, or tagliatelle to capture the hearty mushroom sauce in their ridges and curves.
• Add crumbled plant-based protein like tofu, tempeh, or lentils to increase the nutritional value and make the dish more filling.
• Pulse mushrooms in a food processor for a quick and uniform chop, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture throughout the sauce.

Dish Up Ina Garten Mushroom Bolognese for a Cozy Meal

• Pair with Rustic Bread: Slice a crusty Italian or sourdough bread to soak up the rich, flavorful sauce. Toast lightly and rub with a garlic clove for extra depth.
• Create a Fresh Side Salad: Toss together crisp arugula, cherry tomatoes, and shaved Parmesan with a light lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty mushroom bolognese.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the earthy mushroom flavors and enhance the overall dining experience.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle extra chopped basil and a light dusting of Parmesan cheese on top to add brightness and a pop of color to the dish.

Save Leftovers from Ina Garten Bolognese Right

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover mushroom bolognese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The sauce's rich flavors will continue to develop, making each day more delicious.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer cooled sauce to freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags. Freeze flat for maximum space efficiency, keeping the meal fresh for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat with Care: Warm the sauce gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of reserved pasta water or extra wine to restore the original creamy consistency. Avoid high heat to prevent sauce separation.
• Pasta Prep Tip: Cook pasta fresh when serving leftovers to maintain the best texture. Refrigerated pre-mixed pasta can become mushy, so keep sauce and noodles separate until the moment of serving for the most appetizing meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 6

Everything for Ina Garten Mushroom Bolognese Recipe

• Olive Oil: Provides rich, smooth foundation for sautéing and enhancing vegetable depth with subtle fruity undertones.
• Mushrooms: Delivers robust, meaty texture and umami complexity that transforms vegetarian sauce into hearty meal.

• Garlic: Adds pungent warmth and essential Mediterranean depth to overall sauce profile.
• Fresh Oregano: Introduces earthy, slightly bitter herbaceous notes that complement tomato base.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Brings gentle spicy kick and subtle heat to round out flavor complexity.
• Black Pepper: Contributes sharp, warming undertones with clean, sharp bite.
• Ground Nutmeg: Provides delicate, warm background note that elevates sauce's sophistication.

• Red Wine: Creates rich, deep flavor foundation and helps deglaze pan, capturing caramelized mushroom essence.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Forms classic Italian sauce base with bright, tangy characteristics.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates and intensifies tomato flavor with deeper, more robust profile.
• Mascarpone Cheese: Introduces luxurious, silky creaminess that softens sauce's acidity.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, nutty finish and provides traditional Italian cheese dimension.
• Fresh Basil: Delivers bright, peppery freshness as final aromatic garnish.

Gear Needed to Make Mushroom Bolognese Like Ina

• Dutch Oven: Heavy-bottomed pot perfect for sautéing mushrooms and simmering sauce.
• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta to al dente perfection.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring ingredients and scraping browned bits from pot bottom.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise tools for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for mincing garlic, oregano, and basil.
• Cutting Board: Provides clean surface for chopping ingredients.
• Colander: Used for draining cooked pasta.
• Cheese Grater: Optional for freshly grating Parmesan cheese.

Hearty Ina Garten Mushroom Bolognese Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s mushroom bolognese delivers rich umami comfort with deep Italian-inspired flavors. Hearty vegetables and plant-based ingredients create a satisfying pasta sauce perfect for weekend cooking when you want something nourishing and delicious.

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Ingredients

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• 1½ lbs (680 g) cremini mushrooms, brushed clean, trimmed, and medium-diced
• 1 lb (450 g) dried pasta (e.g., large shells or rigatoni)
• 1 (28-oz) (800 g) can crushed tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
• 1¼ cups (295 ml) dry red wine (e.g., Chianti), divided
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) good olive oil
• 4 tsps (4 cloves) minced garlic
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• ½ cup (50 g) freshly grated Italian Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
• ¼ cup (60 g) Italian mascarpone cheese
• ¼ cup (10 g) chopped fresh basil leaves, lightly packed, plus more for serving
• 1 tbsp minced fresh oregano leaves
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Mushroom Preparation: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Sauté mushrooms until achieving a golden-brown caramelization, releasing their deep, earthy essence.
2. Aromatic Infusion: Introduce minced garlic, fresh oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Quickly toast the aromatics to unlock their intense flavor profile, creating a fragrant base for the sauce.
3. Liquid Transformation: Deglaze the pot with wine, skillfully scraping caramelized bits from the bottom to integrate complex, layered flavors. Allow the liquid to reduce and concentrate its essence.
4. Sauce Development: Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a robust boil, then reduce heat and simmer, allowing the sauce to thicken and develop a rich, velvety consistency.
5. Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta in a separate pot of generously salted boiling water until achieving perfect al dente texture. Carefully reserve a portion of pasta water before draining to potentially adjust sauce consistency.
6. Flavor Elevation: Incorporate remaining wine, ground nutmeg, fresh basil, and mascarpone cheese. Gently simmer to marry the ingredients, creating a luxurious and creamy sauce with nuanced undertones.
7. Final Flourish: Remove from heat and fold in Parmesan cheese. Plate the pasta, generously coating with the mushroom bolognese sauce. Garnish with additional Parmesan and fresh basil for a sophisticated culinary presentation.

Notes

• Select Mushroom Varieties: Choose a mix of cremini, shiitake, or porcini mushrooms for deeper, more complex umami flavors and varied textures.
• Caramelize Mushrooms Perfectly: Ensure mushrooms are dry and not overcrowded in the pan to achieve golden-brown color and intense flavor development.
• Pasta Water Magic: Save some starchy pasta water to help sauce cling to noodles and create a silky, cohesive final dish if sauce seems too thick.
• Cheese Temperature Tip: Let mascarpone and Parmesan come to room temperature before adding to prevent clumping and ensure smooth sauce integration.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg