Feeling too tired to cook something elaborate? Keep it simple yet hearty with today’s spaghetti bolognese recipe, and enjoy a flavorful meal with little effort and lots of love! Feeling too tired to cook something elaborate? Keep it simple yet hearty with today’s spaghetti bolognese recipe, and enjoy a flavorful meal with little effort and lots of love!
When it comes to cooking plates of pasta and spaghetti, it’s hard to beat the Italians. They have the perfect balance of flavor, using the freshest ingredients and simple cooking techniques that really let the pasta shine.
Take spaghetti bolognese, for example – it’s made from minced meat, fresh veggies, aromatic herbs, and a rich, well-seasoned sauce that’s full of flavor. In contrast to other spaghetti dishes, the sauce in this one is hearty and meaty. Ergo, it’s not your usual light pasta sauce- instead, it’s a thick, tomato-based mix that turns spaghetti from just a side dish to a full-fledged main course!
Variations Of Spaghetti Bolognese You Must Try
Want something beyond the classic recipe? Try these fun customization and variations for your spaghetti bolognese:
Add Veggies
Looking for a vegetarian version of this dish? Or do you simply wish to add more fresh veggies to the mix? Either way, you can boost the flavor and nutrition of your meal by including vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, spinach, kale, and mushrooms in your bolognese sauce.
Make It Spicy
Want to crank up the heat on your spaghetti dish?
Make it super spicy by adding red chili flakes, cayenne pepper, spicy paprika, green chilies, or a splash of your favorite hot sauce! Don’t forget to taste and adjust along the way to keep the heat balanced to your liking.
Try A Different Pasta
Spaghetti is the classic choice for a bolognese recipe. However, the bolognese sauce is quite versatile and can be adapted to other varieties of pasta, including fettuccine, rigatoni, and ziti.
Say Cheese!
One thing I will never say no to is a yummy cheesy topping! Once your spaghetti bolognese is ready, sprinkle a generous amount of grated parmesan cheese, mozzarella, or pecorino cheese for that delicious cheesy kick.
Add Herbs
Want to finish the sauce on a fresh note? Garnish the bolognese with freshly chopped parsley or basil to bring out an aromatic flavor from the dish! Combined with a drizzle of olive oil, herbs add a vibrant look and taste to the entire dish.
Slow Cooked or Baked?
Instead of preparing it in the pot, you can use a slow cooker to make the sauce. Saute the meat, onion, and garlic in the pan before adding them to the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients and cook for 8 hours to develop flavor.
Or, you can make it in the oven by transferring the sauted meat and other ingredients to an oven-safe dish and cooking it at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 2 hours. Make sure to cover the sauce with foil and stir occasionally to keep it moist and full of flavor.
Tips For Perfecting Your Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe
Having trouble getting your spaghetti bolognese just right? Let’s see how I can help you with that!
- If your sauce turns out too thin for your liking, let it simmer for a longer time with the lid open. However, when I am busy and don’t have that much time, I like to stir in some extra tomatoes in the mix, and the sauce thickens up shortly after that!
- It can go the other way, too, right? If your sauce gets too thick, it might be tempting to splash some water to thin it out, but hold that thought as it’s going to reduce the flavor you want! Instead, use some of that starchy pasta water or milk to dilute the sauce.
- On days my spaghetti still lacks flavor, I like to stir in some extra goodies like soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or a dash of sugar to salvage the dish.
- While boiling the spaghetti, add a few drops of olive oil and stir frequently to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
- Want to know a secret that can take your bolognese sauce to the next level? Add a small piece of butter right before serving, and get ready to savor the most delicious, velvety bolognese that’s impossible to resist!
Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe
Ingredients
For the Bolognese Sauce
- 3 tbsp / 45 ml Olive Oil
- 4 cloves Garlic (Minced)
- 1 large Onion (Finely Chopped)
- 2 sticks Celery (Finely Chopped)
- 1 medium-size Carrot (Finely Chopped)
- 500 grams Beef (Minced)
- 1 cup / 250 ml Beef Stock
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1 tbsp Basil Leaves (Chopped)
- 1 tsp / 6 g Salt
- 2 tsp / 8 g Sugar
- 1 tsp / 2 g Oregano
- 1 tsp / 2 g Chili Flakes
- ½ tsp / 1 g Black Pepper
- 2 tbsp / 32 g Tomato Paste
- 800 grams Whole Tomatoes (Canned)
For The Spaghetti
- 1 tbsp / 18 g Salt
- 400 grams Spaghetti
Equipments
- Small Bowls
Instructions
Saute Garlic, Onion and Vegetables
- Place a Dutch oven or large pot on the stove over medium-high heat. Pour 3 tbsp of olive oil into the pot.
- Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and 1 large finely chopped onion to the pot. Saute the garlic and onion for 2-3 minutes.
- Add 2 sticks of finely chopped celery and 1 medium-sized finely chopped carrot to the pot. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Add Minced Beef and Stock
- Add 500 grams of minced beef(ground beef) to the cooking pot. Cook the beef for 5-6 minutes or until browned.
- Pour 1 cup of beef stock over the mixture. Cook for another 2-3 minutes while stirring.
Season The Sauce
- Add 2 bay leaves and 1 tbsp of chopped basil leaves to the pot.
- Sprinkle 1 tsp of salt and 2 tsp of sugar over the sauce.
- Season the beef with 1 tsp of oregano, 1 tsp of chili flakes, and ½ tsp of black pepper. Stir well to mix the seasonings.
Add Tomatoes and Simmer
- Add 2 tbsp of tomato paste and 800 grams of canned whole tomatoes to the cooking pot. Mix the tomatoes and seasonings with the beef mixture.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 1 hour. Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking.
Cook The Spaghetti
- Place a deep saucepan on the stove and fill it with water. Bring the water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti when the bolognese sauce is nearly finished cooking.
- Add 1 tbsp of salt to the boiling water and stir to dissolve.
- Add 400 grams of spaghetti to the water and boil them according to the package instructions. Use tongs to ensure the spaghetti is submerged.
- Once the spaghetti is cooked, drain and wash them with cold water to stop the cooking process.
Serve and Enjoy!
- Open the lid of the bolognese sauce and give it a final stir.
- Place a portion of the spaghetti on the plate and spoon the bolognese sauce generously on top.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious homemade spaghetti bolognese.
Video
My favorite take on this spaghetti bolognese dish is its perfectly balanced spice palette. Chopped basil, bay leaves, and oregano bring a herbal depth to the dish, while chili flakes and black pepper add the perfect amount of heat to keep things exciting.
And the most interesting part is? Despite all these bold flavors, the richness of the bolognese sauce is perfectly balanced by a touch of sugar, giving you a delicious homemade Italian dish that’s hearty and comforting!
Recipe FAQs
Can I Make The Dish More Spicy?
Absolutely! Feel free to add more chili flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to adjust the spice level according to your taste buds.
What Can I Use Instead Of Tomatoes To Make Bolognese Sauce?
You can substitute tomatoes in a bolognese sauce with flavorful options like carrot and onion mixture, beetroot, mushrooms, cauliflower cream, or pesto.
How To Store Leftover Spaghetti Bolognese?
You can keep the leftover dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
How Do I Prevent Spaghetti From Sticking Together?
To prevent spaghetti from sticking together make sure you add a few drops of oil while boiling and stir occasionally.
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