Spaghetti bolognese is a favorite of mine! We make this for the family and it gets gobbled up super fast.

Photo byBing

Pair with a green salad and garlic bread for a full meal.

Ingredients

For the sauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 1 pound (450g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup whole milk (optional, for creaminess)

For the spaghetti

• 12 oz (340g) spaghetti
• Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
• Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish, optional)

Directions

• Prepare the Bolognese Sauce:
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until softened.
  • Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
  • Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and red wine (if using). Add oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
  • Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. If using, stir in the milk during the last 5 minutes for extra creaminess.
• Cook the Spaghetti:
  • While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
  • Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the spaghetti.
• Combine:
  • Toss the drained spaghetti with the Bolognese sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
• Serve:
  • Divide the spaghetti Bolognese among plates. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

What do you think?

Would you try this?