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A delicious plate of spaghetti bolognese, showcasing one of the best pasta recipes with a rich meat sauce and parmesan.

Simple Spaghetti Bolognese

A classic and hearty spaghetti bolognese sauce, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 people
Course: dinner
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Serving
  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • grated Parmesan cheese optional

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Add chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. For a richer flavor, you can simmer it longer.
  4. While the sauce simmers, cook spaghetti according to package directions in a separate pot of boiling salted water. Drain the spaghetti.
  5. Serve the bolognese sauce over the cooked spaghetti. Top with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

You can add other vegetables like carrots or celery along with the onion for extra flavor and nutrients. A bay leaf can also be added during simmering and removed before serving.

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