The Ultimate Weeknight Spaghetti Bolognese

Recipe Introduction: Your New Favourite Spaghetti Bolognese!

Ever crave that hug-in-a-bowl feeling? Spaghetti Bolognese is the answer. Honestly, who doesn't love a rich, meaty sauce smothering perfectly cooked pasta?

Quick Hook

Fancy a Best Meat Sauce Recipe ? This version brings those hearty Italian flavours right to your kitchen, for a Homemade Spaghetti Bolognese that will make the whole family cheer.

Brief Overview

Bolognese sauce hails from Bologna, Italy, and it's world famous. This recipe is easy medium difficulty and takes about 2. 5 hours. It yields 6-8 servings, so plenty for everyone!

Main Benefits

This recipe offers a good source of protein and comfort. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a Sunday feast.

What makes this Authentic Bolognese Sauce Recipe special? The slow simmering brings the flavors together beautifully.

Okay, let's get this show on the road with our Easy Bolognese Recipe . This isn’t just a quick toss together; it’s a journey of flavor.

What You'll Need

• 2 tbsp olive oil (30 ml)
• 2 large onions, finely chopped (approx. 300g / 10.5 oz)
• 2 carrots, finely chopped (approx. 200g / 7 oz)
• 2 celery sticks, finely chopped (approx. 150g / 5.3 oz)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 500g / 1.1 lbs beef mince (ground beef)
• 200g / 7 oz pork mince (ground pork)
• 150g / 5.3 oz pancetta, diced
• 200 ml / ¾ cup dry red wine
• 2 x 400g / 2 x 14 oz cans chopped tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato puree (tomato paste)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 2 bay leaves
• 200ml / ¾ cup beef stock (broth)
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Pinch of sugar
• 500g / 1.1 lbs dried spaghetti
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves

The Best Bolognese Sauce : With these ingredients, you will have a good and perfect spaghetti bolognese. Let's go.

Ingredients & Equipment

Okay, let's get this show on the road. Ready to make the best meat sauce recipe ever? We're diving into the heart of homemade spaghetti bolognese .

This recipe is surprisingly simple, even if the ingredient list looks a bit long.

Main Players

Here's what you'll need.

• Olive Oil: 2 tbsp (30 ml) - This is your base fat.
• Onions: 2 large , finely chopped (about 300g / 10.5 oz). Look for firm, heavy onions.
• Carrots: 2 , finely chopped (around 200g / 7 oz).
• Celery: 2 sticks , finely chopped (approx. 150g / 5.3 oz).
• Garlic: 2 cloves , minced. Fresh is always best.
• Beef Mince: 500g (1.1 lbs) . Aim for 15-20% fat content.
• Pork Mince: 200g (7 oz) . Optional, but adds fantastic flavour.
• Pancetta: 150g (5.3 oz) , diced. Trust me, it's worth it!
• Dry Red Wine: 200 ml (¾ cup) . A decent Chianti works wonders.
• Chopped Tomatoes: 2 x 400g (2 x 14 oz) cans .
• Tomato Puree: 2 tbsp .
• Dried Oregano: 1 tsp .
• Dried Basil: 1 tsp .
• Bay Leaves: 2 .
• Beef Stock: 200ml (¾ cup) .
• Worcestershire Sauce: 1 tbsp .
• Spaghetti: 500g (1.1 lbs) dried.
• Parmesan Cheese: For serving.
• Fresh Basil: To garnish.

My own experience is always get some extra beef mince, just in case you are feeling hungry.

Seasoning Notes

This is where the magic happens! The combo of oregano and basil is essential for that classic Italian flavour. A little Worcestershire sauce adds a wonderful umami depth.

Got no oregano? Marjoram is a good sub.

Essential Tools

Honestly, Italian Bolognese sauce recipes dont need much.

• Large pot
• Wooden spoon
• Colander

Don't have a fancy pot? A large saucepan will do. The Best Bolognese Sauce starts with good ingredients, not fancy equipment!

Cooking Like a Pro: Making The Best Bolognese Sauce

Ah, Spaghetti Bolognese . It is a true British classic dish. This isn't your average quick fix, you know? This recipe is all about depth, flavour and proper comfort.

Okay, let's get this show on the road! We're going for a Bolognese Recipe Authentic enough to make an Italian grandma proud.

Honestly, once you try making it from scratch, you'll never go back to the jarred stuff.

Prep Steps: The Secret to Success

• Essential mise en place: Finely chop those onions, carrots, and celery. It's a bit of a faff, I know, but trust me. Roughly 300g / 10.5 oz of onions, 200g / 7 oz of carrots, and 150g / 5.3 oz of celery is just about right. Minced garlic (two cloves) too!
• Time saving organization tips: Get everything measured out before you even turn on the hob! It makes cooking so much smoother, like having Mary Berry whispering helpful tips in your ear.
• Safety reminders: When browning the meat, don't overcrowd the pan, or it will steam instead of brown. And be careful of spitting oil! Ouch!

step-by-step Process for Scrumptious Spaghetti Bolognese

1. Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large pot. Sauté the chopped veg until softened ( 8- 10 minutes ). Add the minced garlic during the last minute.
2. Brown 500g / 1.1 lbs of beef mince and 200g / 7 oz of pork mince (optional). Drain excess fat. Add 150g / 5.3 oz of diced pancetta (also optional) until crispy.
3. Pour in 200 ml / ¾ cup of dry red wine. Scrape up those yummy browned bits from the pot. Cook until the wine has almost completely evaporated.
4. Stir in two cans of chopped tomatoes, 2 tbsp of tomato puree, and 1 tsp each of dried oregano and basil. Add two bay leaves, 200ml / ¾ cup of beef stock, and 1 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and a pinch of sugar if you fancy.
5. Simmer, covered, on low heat for 2-2. 5 hours , stirring occasionally. Be patient! Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. This is what separates it from other Italian Bolognese Sauce Recipes .
6. Cook 500g / 1.1 lbs of spaghetti according to package directions. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
7. Toss the drained spaghetti with the Bolognese sauce. Add pasta water if needed. Serve with Parmesan cheese!

Pro Tips for Homemade Spaghetti Bolognese

• Add a splash of milk during the last 30 minutes of simmering for extra richness. Honestly, it works wonders!
• Avoid adding too much liquid at once. It's better to add a little at a time if the sauce gets too thick. You know?
• Slow Cooked Bolognese is great for making ahead. You can make the sauce a day or two in advance and keep it in the fridge. In the oven? You can cook at 150c for 4 hours for best results. This Easy Bolognese Recipe is a game changer for busy weeknights, honestly. Don't rush the simmering time. The longer it simmers, the richer and more flavorful the Best Meat Sauce Recipe will be.

Recipe Notes to Make Your Bolognese Sing

Alright, so you're ready to tackle this homemade spaghetti bolognese . Awesome! But before you get going, let's chat about a few things to make sure it's absolutely perfect.

Honestly, these little tips can make all the difference!

Serving like a Pro

Plating your best meat sauce recipe is all about making it look as good as it tastes. Twirl that spaghetti into a neat little nest.

Then, spoon a generous dollop of that glorious bolognese right on top. A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan is essential , darling.

A few fresh basil leaves? Chef's kiss! As for sides, you can't go wrong with some crusty garlic bread. A simple green salad cuts through the richness nicely.

And of course, a glass of Italian red is always a good shout.

Storage Smarts

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Let the authentic bolognese sauce recipe cool down completely before popping it into an airtight container.

It'll happily keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you wanna freeze it, portion it out into freezer bags or containers.

It'll last for up to 3 months. When you're ready to reheat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Then gently heat it up on the hob (stovetop), or in the microwave, until piping hot.

Just add some freshly cooked pasta and you're good to go!

Twists on Tradition

Want to shake things up a bit? No worries! For a vegetarian version, swap the mince for lentils or finely chopped mushrooms.

Trust me, it's delicious. If you're feeling fancy, stir in a dollop of crème fraîche at the end for a super creamy slow cooked bolognese .

And you can also swap the celery, carrots and onions for a Mediterranean twist, like add Aubergine (Eggplant) and Zucchini for a summery touch.

That makes Bolognese With Fresh Tomatoes a totally yummy variant.

Nutrition Nuggets

Okay, let's talk numbers. A serving of this easy bolognese recipe is around 600-700 calories, with a good hit of protein (40-45g) and some carbs (60-70g).

The beef provides iron, which is important for energy. The tomatoes are packed with vitamin C. While it’s not exactly a health food, it's definitely soul food! Remember this is a Bolognese Recipe Authentic dish!

So, there you have it! A few extra bits to think about when you're making your spaghetti bolognese . Now, go on, get cooking! You've totally got this.

And remember, even if it's not perfect, it's still gonna be delicious. Don't stress! You're one step closer to the the best bolognese sauce .