Bolognese sauce, known as ragu bolognese, is a quintessential Italian dish that varies by region but maintains core ingredients like minced meats and a soffrito base of celery, carrot, and onion. The article highlights the importance of patience and proper cooking techniques, emphasizing slow cooking as a crucial step to develop the sauce's depth of flavor and consistency. The key to elevating bolognese, according to the author's Italian grandmother, is the addition of one simple ingredient that transforms the dish into a creamier and richer version, showcasing a family culinary secret passed through generations.