Tag: Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti Bolognese is a classic Italian pasta dish featuring a rich meat sauce simmered with tomatoes, vegetables, and wine. Here’s how to prepare Spaghetti Bolognese at home for six people

Ingredients:

For the Bolognese Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 large carrots, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 cup dry red wine (optional)
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

For the Pasta:

• 1.5 pounds (24 oz) spaghetti
• Salt, for pasta water
• Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Bolognese Sauce:

1. Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are soft and the onion is translucent.
2. Cook Garlic: Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
3. Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef and pork to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
4. Deglaze with Wine: If using, pour in the red wine and let it simmer until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
5. Add Milk: Stir in the milk and let it cook down, which helps tenderize the meat.
6. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, bay leaf, and nutmeg (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine.
7. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for at least 30 minutes, preferably 1-2 hours for richer flavor. Stir occasionally and add a splash of water if the sauce becomes too thick.

2. Cook the Spaghetti:

1. Boil Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain the spaghetti.

3. Combine and Serve:

1. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the Bolognese sauce and toss to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
2. Garnish: Serve the Spaghetti Bolognese hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil or parsley.

Tips:

• Simmering Time: The longer the sauce simmers, the richer the flavor. Aim for at least 1 hour if possible.
• Wine: If you prefer not to use wine, you can skip it or substitute with additional broth or water.
• Serving: This dish pairs well with a green salad and crusty bread.

Enjoy your hearty and delicious Spaghetti Bolognese