Giada De Laurentiis is no stranger to making waves in the culinary world. As a former Food Network star and TV personality, she’s built an empire out of Italian-American cuisine, turning it into something approachable and utterly crave-worthy for home cooks everywhere. Known for her no-nonsense style and deliciously practical recipes, De Laurentiis has proven time and again that food doesn’t have to be fussy to be extraordinary. However, recently, it’s not just her own cooking that’s making headlines—she’s also shared a family favorite that has me seriously rethinking my holiday menu plans.
One thing that truly makes Giada’s cooking stand out is her ability to balance simplicity with elegance. While she’s famous for taking classic Italian dishes and making them accessible, she doesn’t shy away from some bold choices, like chocolate pasta. In a recent interview, De Laurentiis discussed this controversial dish, saying that pasta is like a blank canvas, and much like potatoes or rice, it can be transformed into something sweet or savory. “Chocolate pasta is the ultimate comfort food,” she explains, urging anyone who hasn’t tried it yet to give it a whirl. Honestly, I’m sold.
But one dish in particular has stolen the spotlight lately—not because it’s a radical reimagining of Italian food, but because it’s the kind of dish that brings warmth and comfort in the most practical way possible. Giada’s Baked Bolognese is not only her daughter Jade’s favorite recipe, but it’s quickly becoming a holiday essential in my own kitchen.
Baked Bolognese: A Family Tradition Reimagined
De Laurentiis’ daughter, Jade, has long been a fan of her mom’s traditional Bolognese sauce. Known for its rich, meaty flavor, Bolognese is a staple in many Italian-American homes. But Giada took it a step further and created a baked Bolognese that’s both delicious and incredibly practical for busy cooks. “She’s a big Bolognese fan, and I came up with a recipe to do a baked version to make it easier on myself,” Giada explains. The beauty of this dish is that it’s one of those recipes you can prep ahead of time—perfect for busy weeknights or, more importantly, for the holiday season.
Baked Bolognese combines all the hearty, comforting flavors of a classic Bolognese sauce, but with the added benefit of being a make-ahead dish that only needs to be popped into the oven when you’re ready to serve. According to Giada, not only does this dish fill the house with an irresistible aroma, but it’s also a time-saver. By preparing it one or two days in advance, all you have to do is heat it up and enjoy it. For anyone hosting a holiday dinner, this is a game-changer. No more rushing to prepare a last-minute sauce or scrambling to get everything ready before guests arrive—this baked Bolognese takes the stress out of the equation.
Why the Baked Bolognese is Perfect for the Holidays
As the holidays approach, we all start thinking about the big meals that will be shared around the table—roasts, pastas, decadent sides, and of course, the never-ending desserts. But let’s face it: holiday meals can often be time-consuming and stressful to prepare. Enter Giada’s baked Bolognese.
This dish brings together the best of both worlds: it’s indulgent and comforting, yet low-maintenance. You can easily double the recipe to feed a crowd, and the leftovers (if there are any) are even better the next day. Plus, if you’re someone who prefers to get ahead of the game when it comes to holiday cooking, this recipe is a dream. Spend a little time prepping the sauce, assemble the dish, and then tuck it away in the fridge until it’s time to bake it.
De Laurentiis herself is no stranger to the holiday madness. In fact, she’s found a way to simplify her own holiday dinners by adding a beer cart to the festivities. This is one holiday tradition I’m definitely going to adopt. Instead of setting up a full bar, she brings out a beer cart with fresh citrus fruits and herbs like rosemary and thyme, allowing guests to flavor their beer with a squeeze of lemon, orange, or even a sprig of thyme. “It helps highlight the ingredients and lightens up the food,” she says. This idea is both practical and fun, and it’s the perfect way to incorporate a little Italian flair into your holiday spread.
Giada’s Simple Approach to Cooking
If there’s one thing that stands out about Giada’s cooking philosophy, it’s her belief in the power of simplicity. Growing up, her mom would often prepare simple meals, like a baguette with Toblerone chocolate inside. “She kept it simple—a bar of chocolate, a piece of bread, you’re good to go,” De Laurentiis recalls. And this simplicity has clearly influenced her own approach to cooking. While some might get lost in complicated recipes with lengthy prep times, Giada insists that great food doesn’t have to be over-the-top. Instead, it’s all about choosing quality ingredients and making the most out of them, without overcomplicating things.
This is especially true when it comes to her holiday meals. Even though she’s a well-known chef, she doesn’t go overboard during the holidays. Instead, she relies on dishes that are easy to prepare yet still feel special. That’s why her baked Bolognese is such a winner—it strikes the perfect balance between being deliciously indulgent and surprisingly simple.
A Dama in Italy: The Ultimate Honor
While Giada has received many accolades over the years, she recently achieved something that took her by surprise: she was named a dama in Italy, the female equivalent of a knight. “I did not know what in the heck was going on when they asked me,” she laughs, “but then I realized what an amazing honor.” She describes the experience as one of her most cherished memories, especially because she had the chance to share it with her daughter Jade. They got dressed up for a beautiful gala in a hall adorned with frescoes, an event that felt like something out of a storybook. It was a moment of recognition for her contribution to spreading Italian culture in the U.S., and it’s clear that this is one of the highlights of her life.
The Takeaway: A Recipe to Steal for Your Holidays
Giada De Laurentiis has given us a lot of memorable recipes and cooking advice over the years, but this baked Bolognese may just be her most brilliant contribution yet. It’s a simple, hearty dish that’s perfect for the holiday season, and it’s one you can make ahead of time, saving you valuable moments on the big day. With just a few straightforward ingredients and the magic of a long simmer, this dish transforms into something that smells like comfort and tastes like home.
So, if you’re looking to elevate your holiday spread this year, look no further than Giada’s baked Bolognese. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and with her genius make-ahead method, it’s the perfect solution to holiday cooking stress.
