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Spaghetti Bolognese

: A rich, hearty spaghetti Bolognese made with ground meat, tomatoes, and herbs. Perfect for cozy weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course dinner
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 520 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef or mix of beef & pork
  • 12 oz spaghetti
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 1 carrot finely chopped
  • 1 celery stalk finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil & Parmesan for serving

Instructions
 

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet, sauté onion, carrot, and celery until softened.
    Chopped onion, carrot, and celery for spaghetti Bolognese base
  • Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned.
    Ground beef cooking in skillet for Bolognese sauce
  • Stir in garlic and tomato paste, cook 1–2 minutes.
    Tomato paste and garlic mixed into meat for spaghetti Bolognese sauce
  • Add crushed tomatoes, broth/, herbs, and bay leaf. Simmer 30–40 minutes.
    Bolognese sauce simmering with herbs and bay leaf
  • Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Drain.
    Spaghetti pasta cooking in pot of boiling water
  • Toss pasta with some sauce, serve with extra sauce on top.
    Spaghetti Bolognese served with Parmesan and basil
  • Garnish with Parmesan and basil.

Notes

Sauce can be made ahead and frozen. Add a splash of milk for extra richness.
Keyword Italian meat sauce, pasta dinner, Spaghetti Bolognese