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Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti Bolognese
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Spaghetti Bolognese is a classic Italian dish featuring a rich, slow-simmered meat sauce served over perfectly cooked spaghetti. This hearty and comforting meal combines savory ground meat, aromatic vegetables, and flavorful herbs, delivering an authentic taste with simple cooking steps, ideal for family dinners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Protein

  • 500g ground beef or mixed meat (beef and pork)

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped

Liquids and Sauces

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 400g canned tomatoes or passata
  • 100ml red wine (optional)

Herbs and Seasonings

  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Pasta and Toppings

  • 400g spaghetti pasta
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Chop onions, garlic, carrots, and celery finely to create a smooth base for the sauce. Having everything ready beforehand ensures the cooking process flows easily.
  2. Cook the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and celery, sautéing until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef (or your choice of meat) to the vegetables. Cook until browned thoroughly, breaking up any lumps to ensure even cooking and texture.
  4. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Pour in canned tomatoes or passata along with herbs, salt, and pepper. If using, add red wine at this stage to let it reduce and deepen the sauce’s flavor.
  5. Simmer Slowly: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step marries the flavors and thickens the sauce perfectly.
  6. Cook Spaghetti: While the sauce simmers, cook spaghetti in plenty of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a bit of pasta water for sauce adjustment if needed.
  7. Combine and Serve: Toss the cooked spaghetti with the Bolognese sauce, adding reserved pasta water if the sauce needs loosening. Plate and sprinkle generously with fresh Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • Low and slow: Simmer the sauce gently to develop deep, rich flavors without bitterness.
  • Meat choice matters: A mix of beef and pork gives a more complex, juicy texture than beef alone.
  • Don’t skip the soffritto: Finely chopped vegetables add natural sweetness and balanced flavor.
  • Use fresh herbs: Add some herbs at the end of cooking for a fresh lift to the sauce.
  • Adjust thickness: Use reserved pasta water to perfect the sauce’s consistency for silky coating on spaghetti.

Nutrition

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

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