Name: Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 onion, finely chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 carrot, finely diced; 1 celery stalk, finely diced; 500g (1 lb) ground beef or a mix of beef and pork; 1 pinch baking soda (optional, for tenderizing meat); 100g (3.5 oz) pancetta, diced (optional); 1 cup red wine; 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes or tomato passata; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 beef bouillon cube or 1 tsp powder; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp dried thyme; 1 tsp sugar (optional); 1/2 cup cream or half-and-half (optional); Salt and pepper to taste; Fresh basil and parsley for garnish; Grated Parmesan cheese for serving; 400g (14 oz) spaghetti

Description

Spaghetti Bolognese is the ultimate comfort dish with a rich, meaty sauce, aromatic soffritto, and a touch of indulgence. Perfect for quick dinners or slow-simmered feasts!

Ingredients

Scale

2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 carrot, finely diced
1 celery stalk, finely diced
500g (1 lb) ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
1 pinch baking soda (optional, for tenderizing meat)
100g (3.5 oz) pancetta, diced (optional)
1 cup red wine
2 cups canned crushed tomatoes or tomato passata
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 beef bouillon cube or 1 tsp powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp sugar (optional)
1/2 cup cream or half-and-half (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil and parsley for garnish
Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
400g (14 oz) spaghetti

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add ground meat (and pancetta, if using) to the pan. Sprinkle with baking soda (optional) and cook until browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
Pour in red wine and deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer for 2 minutes.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, bouillon, oregano, thyme, and sugar (if using). Season with salt and pepper.
Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. For a richer flavor, simmer for up to 2-3 hours, adding water if needed.
Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Toss cooked spaghetti with the sauce and a splash of reserved pasta water to coat evenly.
Serve immediately, garnished with Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs.

Notes

Use a mix of beef and pork for a richer flavor.
Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
Sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge or freezer.

Nutrition

Calories: ~450
Sodium: 820mg
Fat: 14g
Carbohydrates: 52g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 24g