Name: Easy Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 pound ground beef (85-90% lean); 28 oz crushed tomatoes; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon dried basil; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1 Parmesan rind; 10 oz spaghetti (uncooked); Salt (for pasta water); Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving; Chopped parsley, for garnish; 2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking)

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Introduction

This easy Spaghetti Bolognese recipe offers a rich and comforting sauce simmered to perfection. It’s a classic Italian dish that combines tender ground beef with aromatic herbs and tomatoes, served over perfectly cooked spaghetti. Ready in under an hour, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner.

The image shows a bowl of spaghetti topped with a thick layer of rich meat sauce mixed with finely ground beef. The bottom layer is yellowish spaghetti noodles, soft and slightly twisted. On top, the reddish-brown meat sauce covers the noodles unevenly, with bits of green parsley sprinkled throughout for color contrast. Light grated cheese is scattered lightly over the sauce. The bowl is white with subtle speckled patterns and sits on a matching white speckled plate, all placed on a white marbled surface. A fork is placed inside the bowl on the right side, slightly buried in the pasta. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 onion (finely chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 pound ground beef (85-90% lean)
28 oz crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 Parmesan rind
10 oz spaghetti (uncooked)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When hot, add the finely chopped onion and cook for about 10 minutes until softened and beginning to caramelize. Add the minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds.
Step 2: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into smaller pieces. Cook for about 10 minutes until no longer pink and fully cooked through.
Step 3: Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Bring the mixture to a light simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
Step 4: Add salt, black pepper, dried basil, and red pepper flakes to the sauce. Stir to combine well.
Step 5: Add the Parmesan rind to the sauce and let it simmer gently for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
Step 6: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
Step 7: Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the starchy cooking water. Add the drained spaghetti to the sauce and toss to combine evenly. If the sauce feels too thick, stir in a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water.
Step 8: Serve sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, if desired.

Tips & Variations

For added depth, sauté finely chopped carrots and celery with the onions before adding the garlic.
Use ground turkey or plant-based meat for a leaner or vegetarian version.
Simmer the sauce longer for a richer flavor; just add a splash of water if it gets too thick.
The Parmesan rind adds umami, but if unavailable, you can substitute with a teaspoon of grated Parmesan stirred in.

Storage

Store leftover Bolognese sauce and cooked spaghetti separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed.

How to Serve

A bowl filled with twisted strands of yellow spaghetti, thickly covered in reddish-brown meat sauce with fine chunks of ground meat. The sauce layer is rich and chunky, spilling over the noodles that peek through underneath. Small bits of green herbs are sprinkled over the top for added color, along with tiny shavings of white cheese. The white speckled bowl rests on a matching plate, placed on a white marbled surface with a silver fork partly buried in the pasta. In the background, some blurred green herbs add a fresh touch. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the sauce actually benefits from sitting overnight, as the flavors continue to meld. Just store it in the fridge and reheat before serving.

What pasta goes best with Bolognese?

While spaghetti is classic, wider noodles like pappardelle or fettuccine also hold the sauce well and are excellent alternatives.