Amazing Spaghetti Bolognaise Made Easy

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Serving Size: 6 servings

Looking for an easy spaghetti bolognaise recipe that tastes amazing? You’ve come to the right place. This classic Italian dish is perfect for busy weeknights and weekend family dinners alike.

Why This Easy Spaghetti Bolognaise Works

This easy spaghetti bolognaise recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor without complicated steps. You’ll use simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. The secret is in the slow simmering process. This allows all the flavors to blend together perfectly.

Many people think bolognaise is difficult to make. That’s simply not true. With this recipe, you’ll create a rich, hearty sauce that your whole family will love. No fancy techniques required.

 

 

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Bolognaise Sauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, finely diced
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend works best)
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup red wine (or beef broth)
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

For the Pasta

• 1 pound spaghetti
• Salt for pasta water
• Fresh basil for garnish
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

How to Make Easy Spaghetti Bolognaise

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Start by chopping all your vegetables. This is called “mise en place” in cooking terms. It simply means everything in its place. When your ingredients are ready, cooking becomes much easier and faster.

Dice the onion, carrots, and celery into small pieces. They should be roughly the same size. This ensures even cooking. Mince your garlic cloves finely. Set everything aside in separate bowls.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. This vegetable combination is called “soffritto” in Italian cooking. It’s the foundation of many Italian dishes.

Cook these vegetables for about 8 minutes. Stir them occasionally. They should become soft and slightly golden. Don’t rush this step. The vegetables need time to release their natural sugars and develop flavor.

Add the minced garlic. Cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Burnt garlic tastes bitter.

Step 3: Brown the Meat

Push the vegetables to the sides of the pot. Add the ground beef to the center. Break it up with a wooden spoon. Let it brown without stirring too much at first. This creates a nice caramelized crust on the meat.

Once the meat is mostly browned, mix everything together. Cook until no pink remains. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 4: Add the Liquids

Here’s where the magic happens. Pour in the milk first. Yes, milk! This is the secret to authentic bolognaise. The milk adds richness and helps tenderize the meat.

Let the milk simmer until it’s mostly absorbed. This takes about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Next, add the red wine. If you prefer not to use wine, beef broth works great too. The wine adds depth and complexity to the sauce. Let it simmer until reduced by half. This concentrates the flavors.

Step 5: Add Tomatoes and Seasonings

Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. The tomato paste intensifies the tomato flavor. Add the oregano, basil, and bay leaves. Mix everything well.

If your tomatoes taste too acidic, add a teaspoon of sugar. This balances the acidity perfectly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 6: Simmer the Sauce

Reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce simmer gently for 30-35 minutes. Stir it every 10 minutes or so. This prevents sticking and burning at the bottom.

The sauce should bubble gently. Not a rolling boil. Low and slow is the key to easy spaghetti bolognaise perfection. The longer it simmers, the better it tastes.

As the sauce cooks, it will thicken. The flavors will meld together beautifully. Your kitchen will smell incredible.

Step 7: Cook the Pasta

While the sauce finishes simmering, cook your spaghetti. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. The water should taste like the sea. This seasons the pasta from the inside.

Add the spaghetti. Cook according to package directions until al dente. Al dente means the pasta has a slight bite to it. It shouldn’t be mushy.

Reserve one cup of pasta cooking water before draining. This starchy water helps the sauce cling to the pasta.

Step 8: Combine and Serve

Drain the pasta. Add it directly to the pot with the bolognaise sauce. Toss everything together. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.

The pasta water contains starch. This helps create a silky sauce that coats every strand of spaghetti.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 520 kcal
• Protein: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 58g
• Fat: 18g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sodium: 680mg

 

 

 

Pro Tips for the Best Easy Spaghetti Bolognaise

Choose the Right Meat

Use ground beef with some fat content. The 80/20 blend is ideal. The fat adds flavor and keeps the meat tender. Lean meat tends to dry out and taste bland.

You can also use a mixture of beef and pork. This creates an even richer flavor profile. Some people add a bit of Italian sausage too.

Don’t Skip the Milk

The milk is crucial. It creates a creamy, velvety texture. It also helps tenderize the meat. This is what separates authentic bolognaise from regular meat sauce.

Use Quality Tomatoes

Good tomatoes make a huge difference. Use canned crushed tomatoes for convenience. San Marzano tomatoes are excellent if you can find them. They’re naturally sweet and less acidic.

Season in Layers

Season at different stages of cooking. Add a little salt when browning the meat. Taste and adjust again after adding the tomatoes. Season one final time before serving. This builds complex flavor.

Let It Rest

If you have time, let the finished sauce sit for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to settle. The sauce actually tastes even better the next day.

Storage and Reheating Tips

This easy spaghetti bolognaise stores beautifully. Let the sauce cool completely. Transfer it to airtight containers. It keeps in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

You can also freeze the sauce for up to 3 months. Freeze it in portion-sized containers. This makes weeknight dinners super easy. Just defrost overnight in the refrigerator.

To reheat, warm the sauce gently on the stovetop. Add a splash of water or broth if it’s too thick. You can also microwave individual portions.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your easy spaghetti bolognaise with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The real stuff makes a difference. Pre-grated cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly.

Add a sprinkle of fresh basil on top. It adds a pop of color and fresh flavor.

Serve with garlic bread and a simple green salad. A glass of red wine complements the meal perfectly. Chianti or Sangiovese are traditional choices.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Cooking on Too High Heat

High heat can burn the vegetables and create bitter flavors. Keep the heat at medium or medium-low. Patience is key for easy spaghetti bolognaise.

Not Cooking Long Enough

The sauce needs time to develop flavor. Don’t rush the simmering process. Thirty minutes is the minimum. Longer is even better if you have time.

Using Too Much Tomato

Bolognaise is a meat sauce, not a tomato sauce. The meat should be the star. The tomatoes support the meat, not overpower it.

Overcooking the Pasta

Mushy pasta ruins a great sauce. Cook to al dente. Remember, the pasta continues cooking slightly when mixed with the hot sauce.

Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered this easy spaghetti bolognaise, try these variations.

Add Vegetables

Sneak in extra veggies for nutrition. Finely chop mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers. Add them with the other vegetables. They blend right in.

Make It Spicy

Add red pepper flakes for heat. Start with half a teaspoon. You can always add more. Some people like to add a diced jalapeño with the vegetables.

Try Different Pasta

While spaghetti is traditional, other pasta shapes work too. Pappardelle, fettuccine, or rigatoni are excellent choices. The sauce clings differently to each shape.

Use Different Herbs

Fresh herbs take this dish to another level. Add fresh thyme or rosemary to the sauce. Finish with fresh parsley or basil.

Why This Recipe Works for Busy Families

This easy spaghetti bolognaise is perfect for meal prep. Make a big batch on Sunday. Use it throughout the week. It actually tastes better after a day or two.

Kids love this recipe. The flavors are familiar and comforting. It’s a great way to get them to eat vegetables too. When finely chopped, most kids won’t even notice them.

The recipe is budget-friendly. You’re using affordable ingredients to feed a crowd. One batch easily serves six people with leftovers.

Final Thoughts

This easy spaghetti bolognaise recipe is a keeper. It’s simple enough for beginners but delivers impressive results. The key is using quality ingredients and not rushing the cooking process.

Once you make this recipe, it’ll become a regular in your dinner rotation. Your family will request it again and again. It’s comfort food at its finest.

The best part? You’ll feel proud serving homemade bolognaise. You’ll know exactly what goes into your family’s dinner. No preservatives or mystery ingredients.

So grab your ingredients and get cooking. Your delicious easy spaghetti bolognaise is just an hour away. Buon appetite!