Classic Spaghetti Bolognese

A rich and hearty Italian classic, perfect for a comforting family meal.

Prep Time

20 minutes

Total Time

2 hours 50 minutes

Calories

782 kcal

Difficulty

Medium

Equipment

4 items

Cost

£2.49/serving

Meal Type:

Lunch•Dinner

Cuisine:

Italian

Main Ingredient:

Beef•Pork•Pasta

Occasion:

Weekend Cooking•Family Meal

Dietary:

Gluten-Free

Mood:

Comfort Food•Light & Fresh•Hearty•Indulgent•Kid-Friendly

Ingredients

Servings

500gspaghetti

£0.75

500gground beef(or a mix of beef and pork)

£4.00

150gpancetta or bacon, diced

£2.50

1largeonion, finely chopped(approx. 200g)

£0.50

2carrots, finely chopped(approx. 150g)

£0.30

2celery stalks, finely chopped(approx. 100g)

£0.40

2cloves garlic, minced

£0.20

400gcanned crushed tomatoes

£0.60

200gcanned tomato paste

£0.50

250mldry red wine

£2.50

250mlbeef broth

£0.60

50mlwhole milk

£0.10

2tablespoonsolive oil

£0.20

1teaspoondried oregano

£0.10

1teaspoondried basil

£0.10

1bay leaf

£0.05

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

£0.05

Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

£1.50

Total Cost

£14.95

£2.49 per serving

Instructions

1.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add pancetta or bacon and cook until crispy. Remove pancetta/bacon and set aside, leaving rendered fat in the pan.
2.
Add ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.
3.
Add onion, carrots, and celery to the skillet and cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes.
4.
Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
5.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine, beef broth, oregano, basil, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer.
6.
Return the cooked pancetta/bacon to the skillet.
7.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor will be.
8.
After 2 hours, stir in the milk. This helps to tenderize the meat and adds richness to the sauce.
9.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaf before serving.
10.
While the sauce is simmering, cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente.
11.
Drain spaghetti and serve immediately with a generous portion of Bolognese sauce. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese.

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My Notes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition per serving (360g)

782 kcal / 3272 kJ

Carbs

62g

24% of RDA

Fat

37g

53% of RDA

Protein

48g

96% of RDA

Detailed Breakdown

Fibre

5 g

17% of RDA

Sugar

14 g

16% of RDA

Sodium

412 mg

18% of RDA

Saturated Fat

15 g

75% of RDA

Chef's Tips

For a richer flavor, use a mix of ground beef and ground pork.

Don't rush the simmering process. The longer the sauce simmers, the better the flavor will be.

Adding a parmesan rind to the sauce while simmering will add depth of flavor. Remove before serving.

If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little more beef broth or water.

Leftover Bolognese sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Cooking Equipment

Large pot or Dutch oven

Large skillet

Wooden spoon

Colander

Wine Pairings

No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.

Complete the Meal

Starter

Whipped Ricotta Crostini with Balsamic Glaze

A light and creamy appetizer featuring whipped ricotta cheese spread on toasted baguette slices, drizzled with sweet balsamic glaze. Perfect as a refreshing starter before a heavier meal.

30 minutes

4 servings

Easy

"This starter offers a light and fresh contrast to the rich Bolognese. The creamy, tangy ricotta and sweet balsamic provide a palate-cleansing counterpoint to the hearty meat sauce, preparing the taste buds without being overly heavy or competing with the main course's savory notes."

Dessert

Limoncello Semifreddo with Almond Biscotti Crumble

A light and refreshing Italian dessert perfect after a hearty meal. The citrusy limoncello semifreddo is paired with a crunchy almond biscotti crumble for added texture and flavor.

30 minutes + 4 hours freezing

4 servings

Easy

"The bright, citrusy flavors of the Limoncello Semifreddo act as a refreshing digestif after the rich Bolognese. The semifreddo is light and airy, preventing the meal from feeling too heavy, while the almond biscotti crumble adds a textural contrast and nutty warmth that complements the limoncello's tang."