Easy Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

The Ultimate Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

Craving a hearty, comforting meal that the whole family will love? Look no further than this classic Italian dish. My easy spaghetti bolognese recipe is packed with flavour and perfect for busy weeknights.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Simple and quick: Our recipe is designed to be easy to follow, even for novice cooks.
  • Family-friendly: It’s a crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy.
  • Versatile: You can easily customise it with your favourite ingredients.
  • Comfort food: This rich and satisfying dish is perfect for warming you up on chilly evenings.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 500g beef mince
  • 1 carrot, finely diced (optional)
  • 1 celery stick, finely diced (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
  • 1 x 400g tin tomato puree
  • 1 beef stock cube
  • 100ml red wine (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 500g spaghetti
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, to serve

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Heat the olive oil in a large, deep frying pan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Finely chop the onion and garlic.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Brown the meat: Add the beef mince to the pan and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and crumbled.
  4. Add the vegetables: If using, add the carrot and celery to the pan and cook for a few minutes until softened.
  5. Create the flavor base: Stir in the oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Deglaze the pan: If using red wine, pour it into the pan and let it simmer for a minute to reduce.
  7. Add the tomatoes: Stir in the chopped tomatoes and tomato puree. Crumble in the beef stock cube.
  8. Simmer and thicken: Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for a richer flavor. Stir occasionally.
  9. Cook the pasta: While the sauce is simmering, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
  10. Combine and serve: Drain the spaghetti and toss it with the bolognese sauce. Serve immediately with grated Parmesan cheese.

Tips for the Perfect Spaghetti Bolognese

  • Use quality ingredients: The best bolognese starts with good quality meat and tomatoes.
  • Don’t rush it: The longer the sauce simmers, the richer and more flavorful it will be.
  • Add vegetables: Carrots, celery, and mushrooms are classic additions, but feel free to experiment with other vegetables like zucchini or peppers.
  • Adjust the spice level: If you prefer a milder sauce, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or omit it altogether.
  • Serve with garlic bread: Garlic bread is the perfect accompaniment to any spaghetti bolognese.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I freeze spaghetti bolognese? Yes, you can freeze leftover bolognese sauce for later. Let it cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers.
  • What kind of pasta should I use? Spaghetti is the classic choice, but you can also use other pasta shapes like tagliatelle or rigatoni.
  • Can I make it vegetarian? Absolutely! Replace the beef mince with lentils or soy mince for a vegetarian version.

With its rich, flavorful sauce and tender pasta, this easy spaghetti bolognese recipe is sure to become a family favourite. Enjoy!

Easy Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

Spaghetti Bolognese

Another back-to-basics one and a firm favourite of the little lady! In fact, it was over a spag bol (although one that had become dull over the years with recipe changes), that started this whole website in the first place! I decided to go old skool with this and phoned my mum for a traditional recipe! Admittedly, it takes a while to cook and prepare, however, you are not chained to the cooker and can be left. In my case some guess who, and uno. Oh and a little bit of fortnite too!

How many stars do you give this recipe

Recipe Cost Under £5:00
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Course, Dinner, Midweek Meals
Cuisine Italian, 30 minutes plus, British
Servings 6
Calories 413 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g Mince Beef
  • 2 Tins of chopped tomatoes
  • Cooking bacon, chopped (equivilant to about 4 rashers of streaky)
  • 1 Carrot, finely chopped
  • 1 Onion, finely chopped
  • 1 Clove of Garlic, crushed
  • 1 A Glass of red wine
  • 1 tsp Oregano
  • Fresh Basil Leaves
  • 1 Beef Stock Cube
  • Spaghetti
  • I couldn’t find the receipt, but I would expect it to be between £2.50 and £4.00, depending on if the mince was a yellow sticker special or not. this makes enough for us plus about two extra portions of the bolognese to freeze for another time.

Instructions
 

  • Heat oil in a pan, soften onion and carrot. Add mince and brown, then stir in garlic. Add tomatoes, basil, oregano, wine, stock and simmer for 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally. Stir in some Parmesan, reserving the rest. Uncover and increase heat for the last 20 minutes, stirring often to prevent burning.
  • Finally, I cooked the spaghetti according to the instructions and served it all together with a little grated parmesan. Simple, tasty and EASY! Oh and far healthier and cheaper than one of those jars of sauce!

Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I freeze spaghetti bolognese? Yes, you can freeze leftover bolognese sauce for later. Let it cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers.
  • What kind of pasta should I use? Spaghetti is the classic choice, but you can also use other pasta shapes like tagliatelle or rigatoni.
  • Can I make it vegetarian? Absolutely! Replace the beef mince with lentils or soy mince for a vegetarian version.

Nutrition

Calories: 413kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 21.9gFat: 20.8gSaturated Fat: 9.1gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 494mgFiber: 1.5gSugar: 3.3g
Keyword easy recipe, beef, pasta, 30 Minutes Plus, family food, italian
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