Two Pink Peonies

  • Recipe Index
  • Copycat Recipes
  • Kids Crafts & Recipes
  • About Me
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Amish Recipes
  • Copycat Recipes
  • Sourdough Recipes
  • Kids Activities
  • Do-a-Dot Pages
  • About Me
×
Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

Bison Bolognese

Published: Jul 27, 2021 · Modified: Apr 28, 2023 by Audrey · This post may contain affiliate links

Jump to Recipe
Text that says, "Bison Bolognese sauce perfect over pasta." Above and below the text are photos of bison bolognese sauce in a white bowl.

This slowly simmered bison bolognese recipe is loaded with amazing flavors. It makes for a hearty, family friendly, and absolutely delicious meal!

Bison Bolognese in a white bowl with a red linen under it.

Affiliates Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase or sign up for a service. There is no extra cost to you.

While traditional bolognese sauce uses ground beef, this recipe has been adapted to use ground bison. Ground bison is amazing in bolognese sauce as the earthy flavors in the bison really compliment the celery, carrots, and tomatoes.

Bison Bolognese in a white bowl with a red linen under it.

You can serve this bison bolognese over tagliatelle, pappardelle, or your favorite pasta. I served this over rigatoni last time I made this since it is the pasta my kids prefer. Be sure to sprinkle some freshly grated parmesan cheese on top!

Jump to:
  • ⭐ Why you’ll love this recipe
  • 🥫 Ingredients needed
  • 🥩 Can I use a different meat?
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 How to make this recipe
  • 💭 Tips for this recipe
  • 📋 Recipe FAQs
  • Bison Bolognese

⭐ Why you’ll love this recipe

I am a huge fan of cooking with bison, especially ground bison. I love that bison meat is pasture raised, lean, sustainable, and so tasty.

This recipe is family friendly, loaded with veggies, and just down right comforting. It also freezes well, if you’d like to freeze any leftovers for future dinners.

🥫 Ingredients needed

The ingredients needed to make bison bolognese.

For this recipe, you will need:

  • Yellow onion: You’ll want to finely dice your onion. I used my food processor for this.
  • Carrot: I used baby carrots because that’s what I had on hand, but one large carrot also works. If using baby carrots you’ll need about 10 to equal a large carrot.
  • Celery: You’ll need one rib of celery. Remove the ends.
  • Ground bison: The star of our bolognese recipe!
  • Ground Italian sausage: I used mild but you can use hot or sweet too, pick your favorite.
  • Red wine: You can also use beef broth or apple juice if you don’t have any red wine on hand.
  • Milk: I used whole milk.
  • Canned whole tomatoes: You’ll need a large can (about 28 ounces) of canned whole tomatoes in juice.
  • Tomato paste: You’ll need four heaping tablespoons for this recipe.
  • Italian seasoning, garlic, dried parsley, bay leaf, and red pepper flakes: To season the sauce.
  • Salt and pepper: I usually recommend salt and pepper to taste.

🥩 Can I use a different meat?

If you want to use a different meat like ground beef, you totally can. I recommend a leaner cut of ground beef for this recipe.

You will also need a food processor and a large cooking pot.

👩🏻‍🍳 How to make this recipe

In a large pot, brown your ground bison and ground Italian sausage. Drain the fat.

Mince or run your carrot, celery, and yellow onion through a food processor. Add to the meat and stir well.

Run the whole tomatoes through your food processor and add them.

Add the tomato paste, red wine, and spices. Stir well.

Cover and let simmer on low for 30 minutes to 1 hour. In the last five minutes of cooking, reduce the heat and pour the milk in.

Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaf and serve over pasta (such as tagliatelle, pappardelle, or your favorite).

💭 Tips for this recipe

  • If you have time, let your bolognese simmer on low for the full hour.
  • This recipe is freezer friendly so don’t forget to freeze some extras for later.
  • Stir the milk in at the end.
  • Try using a special meat spatula like this one. This will help you get the ground beef down to very small chunks.

📋 Recipe FAQs

How to store this recipe

You can store this bolognese sauce in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 4 days.

How to freeze this recipe

You can also freeze this sauce. I recommend letting it cool and then storing it in a freezer safe plastic storage bag. Lay it flat to save room your in freezer.

What to serve with bolognese

This recipe goes wonderfully with toasted garlic bread and a nice green salad.

Is bison better than ground beef?

Bison is leaner than ground beef. It also has less calories.

What does bison meat taste like?

Bison meat is similar to beef but it has a more “gamey” taste. Some people describe it as more earthy.

Other recipes that you might like:

  • Bison stroganoff
    Bison Stroganoff
  • crockpot bison and sweet potato chili
    Crockpot Sweet Potato and Bison Chili
  • bison chili with cheese and crackers on top of it.
    Slow Cooker Bison Chili
  • Copycat Wendy's Chili in the Crockpot with cheddar and crackers
    Copycat Wendy’s Chili in the Crockpot

If you tried this Bison Bolognese or any other recipe on my site, please leave a ⭐ rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. I would love to hear from you!

Bison Bolognese

Bison Bolognese

Audrey
This slowly simmered bison bolognese recipe is loaded with amazing flavors. It makes for a hearty, family friendly, and absolutely delicious meal!
5 from 7 votes
Prevent your screen from going dark
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

  • food processor
  • cooking pot (large)

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 large yellow onion finely diced
  • 1 large carrot skinned, stem removed, and finely diced
  • 1 rib of celery stems removed and finely diced
  • 1 pound ground bison
  • ½ pound ground Italian sausage I used mild but sweet or hot varieties also work well in this recipe
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 can whole tomatoes in juice about 28 ounces
  • 4 tablespoons tomato paste heaping
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon parsley flakes
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 bay leaf remove after cooking
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, brown your ground bison and ground Italian sausage. Drain the fat.
  • Mince or run your carrot, celery, and yellow onion through a food processor.
  • Add to the meat and stir well.
  • Run the whole tomatoes through your food processor and add them.
  • Add the tomato paste, red wine, and spices. Stir well.
  • Cover and let simmer on low for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  • In the last five minutes of cooking, reduce the heat and pour the milk in.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Remove the bay leaf and serve over pasta (such as tagliatelle, pappardelle, or your favorite).

Notes

Nutritional information is an estimate only.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 23gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 87mgSodium: 540mgPotassium: 774mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 2123IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 123mgIron: 4mg
Need more recipes? Follow me on Pinterest @twopinkpeonies
Grab a copy of my free copycat recipe cookbook!

This recipe was adapted for ground bison from Spend With Pennies Bolognese.

« Amish Pound Cake
Copycat Bob Evans Mac and Cheese »

Comments

  1. Gary B says

    March 27, 2024 at 7:01 am

    5 stars
    I made this yesterday and it turned out pretty good 👍
    I substituted the turkey chorizo instead of the Italian sausage😋
    Added some kick to it!

    Reply
  2. SHILBA says

    October 14, 2021 at 11:42 am

    CAN YOU USE REGULAR GROUND PORK?

    Reply
    • Two Pink Peonies says

      October 14, 2021 at 5:36 pm

      I haven’t tried this recipe with regular ground pork, but if you try it I would think that you would need to add some extra Italian seasoning and garlic. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  3. Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says

    July 29, 2021 at 8:05 pm

    5 stars
    Bison is a wild game meat that I’ve yet to try. I was surprised to hear you get yours at Costco! I love that you added some italian sausage to your bolognese.

    Reply
  4. Arica says

    July 28, 2021 at 8:09 pm

    5 stars
    Bison bolognese sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  5. Anaiah says

    July 28, 2021 at 6:15 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! Such a delicious combination of flavors in this recipe.

    Reply
  6. Addie says

    July 28, 2021 at 7:51 am

    5 stars
    Such a great way to use bison meat!

    Reply
5 from 7 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Recipe Rating




  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Audrey in a red dress holding her young son

Hi, I'm Audrey!

I’m a busy mom who loves to cook, bake, and craft with her kids. Here, you will find tons of recipes like easy weeknight dinners, copycat recipes, cookies, as well as lots of fun craft ideas for kids.

My website has been featured on MSN, Yahoo, Parade, Food Gawker, Love What Matters, Yummly, and more! Read more →

Popular Recipes

  • Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad
    Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad
  • cinnamon sourdough muffin
    Cinnamon Sourdough Muffins
  • Sourdough Discard Coffee Cake
    Sourdough Discard Coffee Cake
  • Copycat Subway Chocolate Chip Cookies
    Copycat Subway Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • banana bread slices on a metal rack and white plates
    Banana Bread in an 8×8 Pan
  • copycat Jason's deli fruit dip recipe
    Copycat Jason’s Deli Fruit Dip
  • sourdough discard oatmeal cookies stacked
    Sourdough Discard Oatmeal Cookies
  • Copycat Buc-ees pecans (roasted pecans with cinnamon sugar) on a white background.
    Copycat Buc-ee’s Pecans

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.

Publishing Standards - Accessibility Statement - Amazon Affiliates Disclosure - Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy