Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe
Classic Italian pasta dish with a rich meat sauce.
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Pasta
Bolognese Sauce
Method
Cooking Spaghetti
- 1
Boil Water
In a large pot, bring water to a rapid boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water.
- 2
Cook Spaghetti
Add 400 grams of spaghetti to the boiling water. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
- 3
Drain Pasta
Once cooked, drain the spaghetti in a colander and set aside, saving a cup of pasta water for later.
Preparing Bolognese Sauce
- 4
Sauté Vegetables
In a large skillet or saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped onion, 1 finely chopped carrot, and 1 finely chopped celery stalk. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
- 5
Add Garlic
Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- 6
Brown the Meat
Increase the heat to medium-high and add 500 grams of ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
- 7
Stir in Tomato Paste
Add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste to the meat mixture, stirring well to combine and cook for about 2 minutes.
- 8
- 9
Add Tomatoes and Seasonings
Stir in 400 grams of chopped canned tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- 10
Simmer Sauce
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the sauce simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water as needed.
- 11
Finish with Basil
Once the sauce is thick and flavorful, stir in 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil.
Serving
- 12
Combine Pasta and Sauce
Toss the cooked spaghetti with the Bolognese sauce until well coated.
- 13
Serve
Serve hot, garnished with 50 grams of grated Parmesan cheese on top.
