Recipe- Easy To Make Spaghetti Bolognese

Everyone needs a great everyday Spaghetti Bolognese recipe, and this is mine! The Bolognese Sauce is rich, thick and has beautiful depth of flavour. It’s perfect for a quick midweek meal though if you have the time to simmer this Meat Sauce for a couple of hours, you’ll take it from seriously delish to OMG this is amazing!!

Ingredients

1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves , minced
1 onion , finely chopped (brown, yellow or white)
1 lb / 500g beef mince (ground beef) OR half pork, half beef
1/2 cup (125 ml) dry red wine (sub water or beef broth/stock)
2 beef bouillon cubes , crumbled OR granulated beef bouillon
800g / 28 oz can crushed tomato (or tomato passata)
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp white sugar , if needed
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 dried bay leaves
2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme or oregano)
Salt and pepper

To Serve

400 g / 13 oz spaghetti , dried
Parmesan cheese and finely chopped parsley

Method

- Heat oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic, cook for 3 minutes or until light golden and softened.

- Turn heat up to high and add beef. Cook, breaking it up as your go, until browned.

- Add red wine. Bring to simmer and cook for 1 minute, scraping the bottom of the pot, until the alcohol smell is gone.

- Add remaining ingredients except salt and pepper. Stir, bring to a simmer then turn down to medium so it bubbles gently. Cook for 20 – 30 minutes (no lid), adding water if the sauce gets too thick for your taste. Stir occasionally.

- Slow simmer option: really takes this to another level, if you have the time! Add 3/4 cup of water, cover with lid and simmer on very low for 2 – 2.5 hours, stirring every 30 minutes or so. Uncover, simmer 20 minutes to thicken sauce.

- Adjust salt and pepper to taste right at the end. Serve over spaghetti – though if you have the time, I recommend tossing the sauce and pasta per steps below.

- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook per packet directions MINUS 1 minute.

- Scoop out a mug of pasta cooking water and set aside, then drain the pasta.

- Add pasta into the bolognese sauce with about 1/2 cup (125 ml) of reserved pasta water over medium heat. Toss gently for 1 1/2 – 2 minutes, or until the spaghetti turns red and the sauce thickens.

- Divide between bowls. Garnish with parmesan and parsley if desired.