Description
Classic Spaghetti Bolognese is a rich and hearty Italian meat sauce served over perfectly cooked spaghetti. Made with ground beef, fresh vegetables, red wine, and seasoned with Italian herbs, this comforting dish is easy to prepare and perfect for family meals or gatherings. Slow-simmered to develop deep flavors, it can be customized with variations to suit different dietary preferences, delivering an unforgettable meal bursting with authentic taste and aroma.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Main Ingredients
- 500g lean ground beef
- 400g spaghetti
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium carrot, grated or diced
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids & Sauces
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 400g canned crushed or diced tomatoes
- 120ml red wine (optional but recommended)
- 240ml beef stock
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Herbs & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparing the Vegetables: Finely chop onions, carrots, and celery to create a sofrito, which forms the flavorful foundation of the sauce. Sauté them gently in olive oil until soft and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Browning the Beef: Add the ground beef to the pan with the softened vegetables. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon until browned evenly and no longer pink.
- Adding Garlic and Tomato Paste: Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for another minute to deepen the flavors and let the paste caramelize slightly.
- Deglazing with Red Wine: Pour in red wine and let it simmer for a few minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the pan; this elevates the sauce with rich, complex notes.
- Incorporating Tomatoes and Stock: Add canned tomatoes and beef stock to the mixture. Stir to combine, then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Seasoning and Slow Simmering: Season with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat, cover, and let the sauce simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
- Cooking the Spaghetti: While the sauce simmers, cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a little pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Combining and Serving: Toss the cooked spaghetti with the Bolognese sauce to coat evenly. Serve immediately, garnished to your liking.
Notes
- Low and Slow: Simmer the sauce gently to develop deep, rich flavors and tender texture.
- Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh basil or oregano added near the end brighten up the dish.
- Don’t Skip the Wine: Even a splash adds acidity and complexity to the sauce.
- Perfect Pasta: Cook spaghetti just past al dente as it will continue absorbing sauce heat on the plate.
- Balance Consistency: Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce thickness for that perfect clinginess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 cup sauce with 100g cooked spaghetti)
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg