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A plate of spaghetti Bolognese topped with basil and served with garlic bread and a glass of red wine.

Traditional Spaghetti Bolognese

Jennifer Ryan
Traditional spaghetti bolognese, slow-simmered to perfection. Rich, hearty, and made to impress. Your comfort food craving, sorted!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8
Calories 380 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 Medium Onion diced
  • 2 Medium Carrots diced
  • 2 Celery stalks diced
  • 3 Cloves Garlic minced
  • 6 Fresh Basil leaves
  • 400 Grams canned diced tomatoes
  • 500 Grams tomato passata or crushed tomatoes
  • 120 Milliliters Red wine ½ cup
  • 2 Teaspoon Dried oregano
  • ½ Teaspoon Dried thyme
  • 450 Grams Ground beef extra lean if preferred
  • 1 Pinch Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 450 Grams Dried spaghetti

Optional to serve:

Instructions
 

  • Start by dicing the onion, carrots, celery, and mincing the garlic so everything is prepped and ready to cook.
    1 Medium Onion, 2 Medium Carrots, 2 Celery stalks, 3 Cloves Garlic
    Chopped onions, carrots, celery, and garlic arranged on a wooden cutting board.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large deep frying pan or Dutch oven over medium-low heat.
    1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Cook gently for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The vegetables should soften but not brown.
    Chopped carrots, celery, and onions sautéing in a pot with a wooden spoon.
  • Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until it's fully browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks (about 5–7 minutes).
    450 Grams Ground beef
    Cooked ground meat mixed with diced carrots, celery, and onions in a pot.
  • Pour 1/2 cup of red wine and let cook for a minute.
    120 Milliliters Red wine
    Red wine is being poured into a pot of sautéed ground meat and vegetables for spaghetti Bolognese.
  • Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato passata (or crushed tomatoes). Stir to combine.
    400 Grams canned diced tomatoes, 500 Grams tomato passata
    Ground meat and vegetables with tomato sauce being mixed in a pot.
  • Season with salt, pepper, oregano, thyme and most of the basil (save a few small basil leaves for garnish).
    6 Fresh Basil leaves, 2 Teaspoon Dried oregano, ½ Teaspoon Dried thyme, 1 Pinch Salt and black pepper
    A pot of simmering spaghetti Bolognese sauce with herbs and spices added.
  • Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer with the lid slightly ajar for 2.5 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and becomes rich in flavor.
    A pot of rich spaghetti Bolognese sauce with ground meat, vegetables, and herbs.
  • Near the end of cooking time, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions, but reduce the cooking time by 1–2 minutes for al dente texture.
  • Drain the pasta and gently mix it into the Bolognese sauce. Remove from heat.
    450 Grams Dried spaghetti
    A pot of traditional spaghetti Bolognese with fresh basil and garlic bread on the side.
  • Garnish with the reserved basil leaves and serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
    Reserved fresh basil leaves, Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
    A plate of spaghetti Bolognese topped with basil, served with garlic bread and a glass of red wine.

Notes

Tips and Tricks
  • Time Saver: Want a faster version? Simmer for 45 minutes for a still-delicious weeknight dinner.
  • Meaty Options: Try a mix of beef and pork mince for a more traditional, flavorful base.
  • Vegetarian Option: Replace the beef with finely chopped mushrooms or lentils.
  • Freezer-Friendly: This sauce freezes beautifully, double the batch and store leftovers for an easy future meal.
  • Pasta Tip: Always finish cooking your pasta in the sauce for best flavor absorption.

Nutrition

Calories: 380kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 18gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 146mgPotassium: 461mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 2642IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 59mgIron: 3mg
Keyword beautiful food, bolognese, classic recipe, italian recipe, pasta sauce, Spaghetti, spaghetti bolognese, tomato, traditional bread, traditional recipe
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