pasta with tomato meat sauce

How to Make Classic Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti Bolognese, a beloved Italian dish, combines al dente pasta with a rich, meaty tomato sauce. Here’s a simple guide to crafting this comfort food favorite.

Ingredients: 400g ground beef or pork, 1 onion (diced), 2 garlic cloves (minced), 1 carrot (grated), 1 celery stalk (chopped), 800g 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 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook onion, garlic, carrot, and celery until soft (5–7 mins).

2. Brown the Meat: 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 min. Pour in tomatoes, wine (if using), oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 30–45 mins until thickened.

4. Cook Pasta: Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente (check package timing). Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.

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

Tips: For deeper flavor, simmer sauce longer. Use a mix of beef and pork for richness. Enjoy this hearty meal with garlic bread or a side salad!