Beef Bolognese with Spaghetti (Printable Version)
Hearty beef and tomato sauce simmered slow, served over tender spaghetti with fresh herbs and Parmesan.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1.1 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 carrots, finely diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, finely diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
→ Liquids
06 - 1/2 cup dry red wine
07 - 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
08 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
09 - 1 cup beef broth
10 - 2 tbsp whole milk or cream
→ Pasta
11 - 14 oz dried spaghetti
→ Oils & Fats
12 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ Herbs & Spices
13 - 1 tsp dried oregano
14 - 1 tsp dried basil
15 - 1 bay leaf
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnishes
17 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
18 - Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 6-8 minutes until softened and fragrant.
02 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
03 - Add ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Ensure any excess moisture evaporates.
04 - Pour in red wine. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot to incorporate the fond.
05 - Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, oregano, basil, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring to combine all ingredients.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Partially cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and flavors meld together.
07 - Stir in milk or cream during the last 10 minutes of simmering for extra richness. Adjust seasoning to taste before removing from heat.
08 - Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
09 - Discard bay leaf from sauce. Combine spaghetti and sauce, adding reserved pasta water if needed for desired consistency. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan and parsley.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sauce develops incredible depth through slow simmering, making your house smell amazing
- Leftovers taste even better the next day, so it is perfect for meal prep
02 -
- The sauce needs at least 45 minutes of simmering to develop proper depth, do not rush this step
- Adding pasta water to the sauce creates an emulsion that helps it cling to every strand of spaghetti
03 -
- A pinch of nutmeg or splash of balsamic vinegar adds subtle complexity that people notice but cannot quite identify
- Substituting half the beef with ground pork creates a more traditional ragù with incredible depth