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Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti Bolognese
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Spaghetti Bolognese is a classic Italian-inspired dish featuring a rich, savory meat sauce simmered with herbs and tomatoes, paired perfectly with tender spaghetti pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this hearty and flexible recipe is ideal for quick weeknight dinners that satisfy the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Base

  • 500g ground beef or pork
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 carrot, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped

Tomato Sauce

  • 400g canned tomatoes or passata
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
  • 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Pasta and Finishing Touches

  • 400g spaghetti pasta
  • Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preparing the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and celery, sauté until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes, forming the flavorful base of the sauce.
  2. Browning the Meat: Add ground beef or pork to the pan, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned on all sides and no longer pink, sealing in the meat’s juices and developing rich flavor.
  3. Building the Sauce: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen flavor. Pour in canned tomatoes or passata and red wine if using. Mix well, season with dried herbs, salt, and pepper, and let the sauce simmer gently to meld the flavors.
  4. Cooking the Spaghetti: Meanwhile, bring salted water to a boil in a large pot. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
  5. Bringing It All Together: Combine cooked spaghetti with the sauce in the pan, stirring well so every strand is coated. Serve hot, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

  • Brown the meat properly to enhance flavor and texture.
  • Simmer the sauce gently to develop rich, complex flavors.
  • Don’t skip the carrots and celery—they add sweetness and balance acidity.
  • Use good quality canned tomatoes for the best sauce taste.
  • Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.

Nutrition

Keywords: Spaghetti Bolognese, Italian, comfort food, quick dinner, meat sauce, pasta

Find it online: https://linacorner.com/spaghetti-bolognese/