Go Back
A steaming bowl of Spaghetti Bolognese garnished with fresh herbs.

Best way to grow your perfect Spaghetti Bolognese

This recipe guides you through creating a rich and flavorful Spaghetti Bolognese from scratch, perfect for a satisfying meal. It emphasizes fresh ingredients and a slow cooking process to develop deep savory notes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Bolognese Sauce
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 2 carrots finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 500 g ground beef
  • 100 g pancetta or bacon diced
  • 250 ml red wine
  • 800 g crushed tomatoes
  • 250 ml beef broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
For Serving
  • 400 g spaghetti
  • Parmesan cheese freshly grated, for serving
  • fresh basil chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Colander

Method
 

Prepare the Sauce
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, then add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery, cooking until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, then add the ground beef and diced pancetta, breaking up the meat with a spoon.
  3. Cook until the meat is browned, then drain any excess fat.
  4. Pour in the 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.
  5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, bay leaf, and oregano, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, or longer for a richer flavor.
Cook the Spaghetti and Serve
  1. About 15 minutes before the sauce is done, cook the spaghetti according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water.
  2. Drain the spaghetti and either add it directly to the bolognese sauce, or serve the sauce over individual portions of spaghetti.
  3. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil before serving.

Notes

For an even richer flavor, consider adding a splash of milk or cream to the sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking. You can also make a larger batch and freeze portions for quick future meals.