pasta with meat sauce

How to Make Classic Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti Bolognese, a beloved Italian staple, combines tender pasta with a rich, meaty sauce. Here’s a simple yet authentic recipe to recreate it at home.

Ingredients:

400g ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork), 1 onion (diced), 2 garlic cloves (minced), 1 carrot (grated), 1 celery stalk (chopped), 400g canned tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1/2 cup red wine (optional), 1 tsp dried oregano, salt, pepper, and 400g spaghetti.

Steps:

1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook onion, garlic, carrot, and celery until soft (5-7 minutes).

2. Brown the Meat: Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned (8-10 minutes). Drain excess fat.

3. Simmer the Sauce: Stir in tomato paste, cook for 1 minute. Pour in tomatoes, red wine (if using), oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 30-45 minutes until thickened.

4. Cook Pasta: Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.

5. Combine: Toss spaghetti with the sauce, adding pasta water to loosen if needed. Serve with grated Parmesan and fresh basil.

Tips: For deeper flavor, simmer the sauce longer. Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Enjoy this comforting dish with a side of garlic bread!