pasta with meat sauce

How to Make Classic Spaghetti Bolognese: A Step-by-Step Guide

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

Ingredients:

- 400g ground beef or pork

- 1 onion, finely chopped

- 2 carrots, diced

- 2 celery stalks, diced

- 3 garlic cloves, minced

- 800g canned tomatoes

- 2 tbsp tomato paste

- 1/2 cup red wine (optional)

- Olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs (bay leaf, thyme)

- 400g spaghetti

Instructions:

1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until soft (5 mins). Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

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: Pour in tomatoes, tomato paste, and wine (if using). Add herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally, until thick.

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

5. Combine: Toss spaghetti with Bolognese sauce, adding pasta water to loosen if needed. Serve with Parmesan cheese.

Tips: For deeper flavor, let the sauce simmer longer. Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Enjoy this hearty meal with garlic bread or a side salad!