Traditional Spaghetti Bolognese
Enjoy a hearty and economical family meal with this classic spaghetti Bolognese, featuring ground beef simmered in an aromatic tomato sauce with vegetables.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 8
Full Ingredient List
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 Onion diced
- 2 Carrots diced
- 2 Celery stalks diced
- 2-3 cloves Garlic
- 400g/14oz Canned Diced Tomatoes
- 500g/17oz Tomato Passata/Crushed Tomatoes
- 250ml/1 cup water
- 450g/1 lbs Ground Beef extra lean
- 5-6 leaves Fresh Basil or 2 tsp dried basil
- 2 tsp Dried Oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 450g/1 lbs Spaghetti
Bolognese Sauce
Tools and Equipment
- Large frying pan or Dutch Oven
Ingredients
| Quantity | Name | Preparation Notes | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tbsp | Olive oil | ||
| 1, diced | Onion | diced | |
| 2, diced | Carrots | diced | |
| 2, diced | Celery stalks | diced | |
| 2-3 | Garlic cloves | minced | |
| 400g/14oz | Canned Diced Tomatoes | ||
| 500g/17oz | Tomato Passata/Crushed Tomatoes | ||
| 250ml/1 cup | Water | ||
| 450g/1 lbs, extra lean | Ground Beef | Ground pork | |
| 5-6 leaves or 2 tsp | Fresh Basil or dried basil | torn | |
| 2 tsp | Dried Oregano | ||
| to taste | Salt and pepper |
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pan, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil. Add diced onions, carrots, celery, minced garlic, and cook on low heat for 10 minutes, ensuring they do not color.
- Step 2: Add ground beef, stirring and breaking it apart until no longer pink inside. (Tips: Ensure to keep the heat moderate to avoid burning.)
- Step 3: Mix in both types of canned tomatoes and water, season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 4: Sprinkle in oregano and basil leaves (reserve some), bring to a boil, then simmer with a lid partially covering for 2.5-3 hours, stirring occasionally. (Tips: The low heat allows the flavors to meld beautifully.)
Final Dish Assembly
Tools and Equipment
- Large pot for boiling pasta
Ingredients
| Quantity | Name | Preparation Notes | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 450g/1 lbs | Spaghetti | cooked as per package instructions |
Instructions
- Step 1: Boil a large pot of water and cook spaghetti 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain. (Tips: Cooking slightly less ensures the pasta will not overcook when mixed with the sauce.)
- Step 2: Combine pasta with the sauce, mixing gently, then remove from heat. Top with reserved basil leaves and serve. (Tips: Serve immediately with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for enhanced flavor.)
Additional Information
Notes: A food processor can help speed up chopping of the vegetables and make a smoother sauce. Experiment with different pasta types to see which you prefer with this rich sauce.