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Classic Spaghetti Bolognese

Classic Spaghetti Bolognese
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Classic Spaghetti Bolognese is a warm, comforting Italian dish featuring a slow-simmered rich meat sauce made with ground beef or veal, aromatics, tomatoes, red wine, and milk. Served over perfectly cooked spaghetti and topped with Parmesan cheese, this hearty recipe delivers authentic depth of flavor with simple pantry ingredients. It’s family-friendly, versatile, and ideal for meal prep, offering a timeless comfort food experience loved worldwide.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Aromatics

  • 500g ground beef or veal
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped

Sauce Components

  • 400g crushed tomatoes or passata
  • 120ml red wine (optional)
  • 120ml milk or cream
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 fresh thyme sprigs or 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Pasta and Toppings

  • 400g spaghetti
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Finely chop the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery to create a classic soffritto. This mix is the flavor foundation, so ensuring a fine dice enhances the sauce’s depth and texture.
  2. Brown the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef or veal in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Brown the meat evenly, allowing caramelized bits to form for extra flavor, then remove and set aside.
  3. Cook the Soffritto: In the same pan, add the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook gently for 8–10 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally.
  4. Deglaze and Simmer: Return the browned meat to the pan. Pour in the red wine, if using, scraping up any browned bits at the bottom. Let the wine reduce by half. Then add crushed tomatoes, thyme or bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
  5. Add Milk and Simmer Low and Slow: Stir in a splash of milk or cream to soften the tomato acidity and enrich the sauce. Simmer uncovered on low heat for at least one hour, stirring occasionally to develop rich, complex flavors.
  6. Cook the Spaghetti: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  7. Combine and Serve: Mix the sauce with the cooked spaghetti or serve the sauce ladled over the pasta. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired, and enjoy immediately.

Notes

  • Low and slow is key: Simmering the sauce slowly develops richer, more complex flavors.
  • Don’t rush the soffritto: Cook the aromatics until soft to maximize sweetness and flavor.
  • Use fresh herbs: Thyme or bay leaves add an authentic Italian touch that’s easy to overlook.
  • Add milk gradually: This balances acidity without making the sauce too creamy.
  • Rest before serving: Let the sauce sit off the heat for a few minutes to thicken slightly for perfect spaghetti coating.

Nutrition

Keywords: spaghetti bolognese, classic bolognese, Italian pasta sauce, comfort food, slow-simmered sauce, family meal, ground beef sauce

Find it online: https://tastebudtrek.com/classic-spaghetti-bolognese/