Best Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

Best Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe 🍝

A rich, hearty, and authentic Italian-inspired spaghetti Bolognese made with ground beef, tomatoes, and a blend of aromatic herbs. This dish is comfort food at its best!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Yield: 6 servings

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Ingredients:

For the Bolognese Sauce:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium carrot, finely diced
• 1 celery stalk, finely diced
• 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or half beef, half pork)
• ½ cup dry red wine (optional)
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• ¼ cup whole milk (or heavy cream)

For the Pasta:

• 12 oz (340g) spaghetti
• Salt, for boiling water

For Garnish:

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped

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Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
2. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Pour in red wine (if using) and let it simmer until mostly evaporated, about 2 minutes.
4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.
5. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 1 to 1½ hours, stirring occasionally. Add more broth if it gets too thick.
6. Stir in milk or heavy cream for extra richness. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Remove bay leaf.
7. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
8. Toss the spaghetti with the Bolognese sauce or serve it on top.
9. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Enjoy!

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Nutrition (Per Serving):

• Calories: 520
• Carbs: 58g
• Protein: 27g
• Fat: 18g

💡 Tips for the Best Bolognese:
✔️ Slow cooking enhances the flavors—don't rush the simmering!
✔️ Use fresh ingredients whenever possible for the best taste.
✔️ For a deeper flavor, let the sauce simmer for 2 hours.

 

Gluten-Free & Keto Spaghetti Bolognese Variations

Here are two variations of the classic Spaghetti Bolognese to suit gluten-free and keto diets.

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Gluten-Free Spaghetti Bolognese

• Swap the pasta: Use gluten-free spaghetti (made from rice, quinoa, or chickpea flour).
• Check your ingredients: Ensure your beef broth and tomato paste are certified gluten-free.
• Keep everything else the same!

✅ Same rich and hearty taste, just gluten-free!

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Keto Spaghetti Bolognese

• Pasta replacement: Swap spaghetti for zucchini noodles (zoodles), shirataki noodles, or spaghetti squash.
• Reduce tomatoes: Use ½ the crushed tomatoes and increase beef broth & tomato paste to lower carbs.
• Increase fat: Add extra olive oil or butter for a higher fat ratio.
• Skip the carrot & wine: These add extra carbs. Instead, enhance flavor with extra garlic & spices.

📌 Keto Macros (Per Serving - with Zucchini Noodles):

• Calories: 470
• Carbs: 9g
• Protein: 29g
• Fat: 35g

💡 Tip: Sprinkle extra Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil for a richer, keto-friendly meal!

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