pasta with tomato sauce and meat sauce

How to Make Classic Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti Bolognese, a beloved Italian-American dish, combines rich tomato sauce with savory ground meat for a comforting meal. Here’s a simple guide to crafting this classic.

Ingredients: 400g spaghetti, 500g ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork), 1 large onion (diced), 3 garlic cloves (minced), 1 carrot (grated), 1 celery stalk (chopped), 800g canned crushed tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1/2 cup red wine (optional), 2 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 bay leaf, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Steps:

1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook onion, celery, and carrot until soft (5 mins). Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.

2. Brown the Meat: Increase heat to medium-high. Add ground meat, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned (8-10 mins). Drain excess fat.

3. Simmer the Sauce: Stir in tomato paste, cook for 1 minute. Pour in red wine (if using) and let it reduce by half. Add crushed tomatoes, broth, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove the bay leaf.

4. Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook spaghetti in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

5. Combine: Toss spaghetti with the Bolognese sauce, adding a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen. Serve hot with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Enjoy this hearty, flavorful dish that’s perfect for family dinners!