Spaghetti Bolognese

Here’s a classic Spaghetti Bolognese recipe—hearty, flavorful, and perfect for a cozy meal.

🍝 Classic Spaghetti Bolognese

Ingredients:

For the sauce:

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 carrot, finely chopped

• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped

• 500g (1 lb) ground beef (or half beef, half pork)

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 400g (14 oz) canned chopped tomatoes

• 125ml (½ cup) red wine (optional)

• 1 tsp dried oregano or Italian herbs

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 bay leaf (optional)

• 1 tsp sugar (optional, helps balance acidity)

For serving:

• 400g (14 oz) spaghetti

• Fresh basil or parsley (optional)

• Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Sauté the vegetables:
   Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Cook for 5–7 minutes until soft and fragrant.

2. Cook the meat:
   Add ground beef to the pan. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.

3. Add tomato paste & wine:
   Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add red wine (if using), and simmer for 2–3 minutes to reduce.

4. Add tomatoes & seasonings:
   Pour in canned tomatoes. Add oregano, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and sugar (if using). Stir well.

5. Simmer:
   Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes (up to 1.5 hours for deeper flavor). Stir occasionally. Add a splash of water if it gets too thick.

6. Cook the pasta:
   Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain well.

7. Serve:
   Remove bay leaf. Toss spaghetti with Bolognese sauce or serve sauce on top. Sprinkle with Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.

🍷 Tips:

• Use fresh pasta for a richer texture.

• For extra flavor, add a splash of milk after simmering to mellow the acidity.