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A steaming bowl of classic spaghetti bolognese with rich meat sauce.

Best way to grow your perfect Spaghetti Bolognese

This recipe guides you through creating a rich and flavorful Spaghetti Bolognese from scratch, focusing on fresh ingredients and traditional cooking methods.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Bolognese
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 Onion, chopped
  • 2 Carrots, chopped
  • 2 Celery stalks, chopped
  • 3 Garlic cloves, minced
  • 500 g Ground Beef
  • 100 g Pancetta, diced
  • 250 ml Red Wine
  • 800 g Canned Crushed Tomatoes
  • 250 ml Beef Broth
  • 125 ml Milk
  • 2 Bay Leaves
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano
  • Salt to taste
  • Black Pepper to taste
For Serving
  • 400 g Spaghetti
  • Parmesan Cheese grated, for serving
  • Fresh Basil chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Grater (for Parmesan)

Method
 

Prepare the Bolognese Sauce
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot; cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef and diced pancetta, breaking up the meat with a spoon; cook until browned.
  5. Drain any excess fat from the pot.
  6. Pour in red wine and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, and cook until the wine has mostly evaporated.
  7. Stir in crushed tomatoes, beef broth, milk, bay leaves, and dried oregano.
  8. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  9. Season with salt and black pepper to taste; remove bay leaves before serving.
Cook and Serve Spaghetti
  1. Cook spaghetti according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water.
  2. Drain the cooked spaghetti and divide among serving plates.
  3. Top with a generous amount of Bolognese sauce, grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil.

Notes

For an even richer flavor, prepare the Bolognese sauce a day in advance and reheat gently before serving. You can also add a touch of nutmeg to the sauce for an authentic Italian taste.