Classic Spaghetti Bolognese
Spaghetti Bolognese is a classic Italian dish. Can be made with different types of pasta, but spaghetti is the most common. It is usually served with grated Parmesan cheese on top. This simple and satisfying meal can be found in restaurants and households around the world and is enjoyed by people of all ages.
- 1 carrot
- 1 celery stalk
- 1 yellow onion
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/2 cup dry red wine
- 2 cans diced tomatos (You can use fresh tomatos or tomato purée)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 10 ounces ground beef
- 10 ounces ground pork
- salt
- pepper (to taste)
- 2-3 bay leaves
- dried oregano
- Small pack basil (dry or finely chopped)
- rosmary (dry or finely chopped)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 14 ounces spaghetti (or any other pasta shape)
- grated parmesan
Finely chop the carrot, celery, onion and garlic.
Put a large saucepan on medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the chopped veggies. Stir often until they soften.
Increase the heat and add the ground beef and ground pork. Cook until the meat is browned.
Add the tomatoes, basil, oregano, bay leaves, tomato paste and the wine. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cover with a lid. Cook for one hour or until you have a thick sauce. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon.
When your sauce is nearly ready cook the pasta following the package directions.
Drain the pasta. You can add the pasta to the sauce or serve the sauce on top. Don't forget to top with grated parmesan.
- Use good quality ingredients. This is especially important for the meat, tomatoes, and cheese.
- Brown the meat well. This will help to give the sauce its flavor.
- Don't overcook the sauce. The sauce should be thick and flavorful, but not dry.
- Add a splash of wine to the sauce. This will add depth and complexity to the flavor.
- Use a little bit of sugar to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Let the sauce simmer longer. This will give the flavors time to develop.
- Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Add herbs and spices. Some classic herbs and spices for bolognese sauce include oregano, basil, thyme, and bay leaves.
- Deglaze the pan. When you brown the meat, add a splash of wine or broth to the pan and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom. This will add flavor to the sauce.
- Adjust the seasonings to taste. Once the sauce is cooked, taste it and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
- You can use a variety of meats in your bolognese sauce, such as ground beef, ground pork, or ground veal.
- If you are vegetarian or vegan, you can use tofu or tempeh in your sauce.
- You can make your own pasta.
- You can serve your bolognese sauce with spaghetti, penne, or any other type of pasta.