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 classic.

Ingredients: 400g spaghetti, 500g ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork), 1 onion (diced), 2 carrots (grated), 2 celery stalks (chopped), 3 garlic cloves (minced), 800g canned tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1/2 cup red wine (optional), 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh basil for garnish.

Steps:

1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until soft (5-7 mins). Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

2. Brown the Meat: Increase heat to medium-high. Add ground beef, 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 canned tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 30-45 mins, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

4. Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente (check package timing). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

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

Serve hot and enjoy this hearty, flavorful dish that tastes even better as leftovers!