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Classic Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 139 reviews

A classic Italian-inspired Spaghetti Bolognese featuring a rich and savory meat sauce made with ground beef, tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and a splash of red wine. This hearty, comforting dish is easy to prepare on the stovetop and perfect for a satisfying family meal or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 16 oz ground beef (or ground pork or turkey)
  • 1/2 cup red wine (or stock or water)
  • 2 beef bouillon cubes, crushed
  • 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Pasta

  • 8 oz spaghetti (or pasta of your choice)

Topping

  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil and sauté aromatics: Place a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. After it warms, add the chopped onion with a pinch of salt and sauté for about 5 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, allowing full aroma development.
  2. Cook the meat: Form the ground meat into small meatballs and set aside or alternately crumble the ground meat directly into the pan. Add the meat to the skillet and cook until browned and fully cooked through, approximately 7-8 minutes.
  3. Deglaze with wine or stock: Pour in the red wine, stock, or water, and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet with a spatula. Continue cooking for 5 minutes until the alcohol aroma dissipates.
  4. Add seasonings and tomatoes: Stir in the crushed bouillon cubes, crushed tomatoes, granulated sugar, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well and bring the sauce to a gentle bubble. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes, adding water if the sauce becomes too thick.
  5. Cook the spaghetti: Meanwhile, prepare the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
  6. Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained spaghetti and reserved pasta water to the Bolognese sauce in the skillet. Stir thoroughly with a wooden spoon or tongs to fully coat the pasta with sauce.
  7. Serve: Divide the spaghetti Bolognese into four portions. Top each serving with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately with a fresh salad and crusty bread, or store in meal prep containers for later.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef with ground pork or turkey for a different flavor or lighter dish.
  • If you prefer, skip forming meatballs and crumble the meat directly in the pan for quicker preparation.
  • Red wine adds depth but can be replaced with beef stock or water if not available.
  • Adding sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
  • Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick and to help it cling to the pasta.
  • Leftover Bolognese sauce freezes well for future meals.
  • Optional Parmesan cheese adds a savory finish but can be omitted for a lighter dish.

Keywords: Spaghetti Bolognese, meat sauce, Italian pasta recipe, classic Bolognese, ground beef pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/classic-spaghetti-bolognese-recipe/