White Bolognese Pasta
White Bolognese Pasta is a creamy, savory twist on the classic Italian meat sauce, replacing tomatoes with a luscious combination of heavy cream and white wine. This rich and comforting dish features tender ground meat, aromatic onions and garlic, and a smooth sauce infused with herbs like thyme and bay leaves. Perfect for cozy dinners or entertaining, it pairs beautifully with wide, flat pasta like tagliatelle, offering a velvety texture and a delicate balance of flavors.
- Author: Judy
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free pasta is used)
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb ground meat (beef, pork, turkey, or a blend)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
Liquids and Dairy
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half/whole milk for lighter version)
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Herbs and Seasonings
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes or chili powder for heat
- Optional: fresh basil, rosemary, or sage for additional herb flavors
Pasta
- 12 oz tagliatelle, fettuccine, or pappardelle pasta
- Prepare the base: Finely chop the onions and mince the garlic. Heat olive oil or butter in a large pan over medium heat and sauté the onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant, building the savory foundation of the sauce.
- Brown the meat: Add your choice of ground meat to the pan. Cook thoroughly, breaking it apart as it browns to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
- Deglaze with white wine: Pour in the white wine. Scrape the bottom of the pan to lift browned bits, then let the wine simmer until reduced by half to intensify the flavors.
- Add cream and broth: Stir in the heavy cream and chicken or vegetable broth, combining everything into a smooth, velvety sauce. Add thyme sprigs and bay leaves, letting the sauce simmer gently for 20–30 minutes.
- Cook the pasta: While the sauce simmers, boil a large pot of salted water. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Finish the sauce: Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaves from the sauce. Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese for richness and seasoning. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and serve: Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce, ensuring every strand is luxuriously coated. Serve immediately, optionally topped with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream to blend smoothly into the hot sauce without curdling.
- Simmer the sauce low and slow to develop deeper, richer flavors.
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Always freshly grate Parmesan cheese for the best texture and flavor.
- Do not skip the white wine—it adds essential acidity and balance to the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: white bolognese, creamy pasta, Italian pasta, white wine pasta sauce, comfort food, easy dinner, tagliatelle recipe, gluten-free pasta option