Spaghetti Bolognese
A heartwarming classic Italian dish featuring a rich and flavorful sauce of ground beef, tomatoes, and herbs served over spaghetti.
Ingredients
For the sauce
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef (85-90% lean) Choose quality beef for better flavor.
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried basil Fresh basil is a good alternative.
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes Add more for extra heat.
- 1 piece Parmesan rind Add for depth of flavor.
For the spaghetti
- 10 oz uncooked spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons olive oil For sautéing.
For serving
- Grated Parmesan and chopped parsley For garnish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and wait for it to heat up.
- Add chopped onion and cook for about 10 minutes until golden brown.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef, breaking it into smaller pieces while cooking for 10 minutes until browned.
Cooking the sauce
- Introduce crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, bringing the mixture to a light simmer.
- Season with salt, black pepper, dried basil, and red pepper flakes; mix well.
- Add Parmesan rind and let the sauce simmer for about 20 minutes.
- While the sauce simmers, boil a pot of salted water and cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
- Once spaghetti is al-dente, drain and reserve about 1 cup of starchy water.
Assembly
- Combine drained spaghetti with the simmering sauce, adding reserved starchy water as needed for consistency.
- Serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
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Notes
Consider pairing with garlic bread and a green salad for a complete meal. Variations include using lentils for a vegetarian option or adding hot sauce for a spicy kick.