Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

If a big, comforting bowl of hearty Italian pasta sounds like your idea of heaven, you’re going to fall in love with this Spaghetti Bolognese recipe. It’s everything you want after a long day: rich, meaty sauce simmered until deep with flavor, twirled around tender spaghetti, and finished with a snowcap of fresh Parmesan. From family dinners to dinner parties, Spaghetti Bolognese brings everyone around the table and leaves them grinning, satisfied, and somehow always asking for seconds!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Spaghetti Bolognese calls on everyday ingredients, but each one plays a vital role in building that unmistakable, cozy, delicious flavor. Even familiar pantry staples can work some real weeknight magic!

• Olive oil: The cornerstone for sautéing and bringing out the sweetness in your onion and garlic.
• Onion, finely chopped: Adds a mellow, savory depth and sweetness as the aromatic base.
• Garlic, minced: Provides sharp, fragrant warmth that wakes up every bite.
• Ground beef: Makes the sauce hearty, rich, and satisfyingly meaty—choose lean for less grease, or regular for more flavor.
• Crushed tomatoes (28 oz can): The juicy, tangy backbone of your Bolognese, these create a luscious, thick sauce.
• Tomato paste: Intensifies the savory tomato essence and helps the sauce cling to your noodles.
• Dried oregano: Brings classic Italian herb flavor and a touch of earthiness.
• Dried basil: Brightens up the sauce and adds that little herby zing you crave.
• Salt: Essential for lifting all the subtle flavors in the sauce—taste as you go!
• Black pepper: For a hint of heat and balance that rounds out the meatiness.
• Beef broth: Adds extra body and a boost of savory, slow-cooked taste even if you’re short on time.
• Worcestershire sauce: A secret splash for depth, umami, and complexity—it’s magic in a bottle.
• Bay leaf: Subtle but fragrant, it infuses a gentle, herbal note that lingers beautifully.
• Spaghetti: The classic partner—its long strands soak up sauce and make every forkful a delight.
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese: The essential finishing touch, melting into the hot sauce for a final hit of richness.

How to Make Spaghetti Bolognese

Step 1: Sauté Onion and Garlic

Start off by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your finely chopped onion and minced garlic, then let them gently sizzle together, stirring occasionally. You want your onion to turn soft and translucent, and your kitchen to start smelling absolutely irresistible. This aromatic base sets the tone for the entire Spaghetti Bolognese.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Now, crumble your ground beef into the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break it up as it cooks, ensuring all that savory beef goodness browns evenly. You’re looking for the meat to lose its pink color and develop a few deliciously caramelized bits—it’s key to a rich, developed flavor in your Bolognese sauce.

Step 3: Combine in the Slow Cooker

Once your beef is browned, transfer the whole fragrant mixture into your slow cooker. This is where the real magic happens—letting everything meld together over a gentle heat for that classic, simmered-all-day taste.

Step 4: Add Tomatoes, Herbs & Seasonings

Pour in your can of crushed tomatoes, spoon in the tomato paste, and sprinkle over the oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Next, add the beef broth, splash in the Worcestershire sauce, and tuck in the bay leaf. Give it all a hearty stir until combined—your slow cooker just became an Italian trattoria!

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover your slow cooker and set it on low for 6-8 hours (or high for 3-4 hours if you’re tight on time). The low and slow method is what sets Spaghetti Bolognese apart, allowing all those flavors to get to know each other and become something truly special.

Step 6: Cook the Spaghetti

About 20 minutes before your sauce is ready, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until it’s perfectly al dente—firm to the bite, but cooked through. Don’t forget to save a splash of pasta water if you want silkier sauce!

Step 7: Serve and Finish

Fish out and discard the bay leaf from your sauce. To serve, pile your hot spaghetti onto plates, ladle over a generous scoop of Bolognese sauce, and shower it all with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stand back and admire your masterpiece—you’ve just made classic Spaghetti Bolognese!

How to Serve Spaghetti Bolognese

Garnishes

Finish each plate with a generous flurry of freshly grated Parmesan, a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil or parsley, and maybe a drizzle of good extra-virgin olive oil. For a little heat, scatter on some crushed red pepper flakes. These toppings don’t just make your Spaghetti Bolognese look inviting—they add extra layers of flavor in each bite.

Side Dishes

Few things pair better with Spaghetti Bolognese than a crisp, simple green salad tossed in tangy vinaigrette. Don’t forget a basket of garlic bread or warm Italian rolls for swiping up that precious sauce! If you want to go all-out, roasted vegetables or a platter of marinated olives round out the meal perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re serving a crowd, try plating the spaghetti in a big, beautiful bowl and piling the sauce on top for a rustic, family-style centerpiece. For dinner parties, you can nestle the pasta in individual nests before topping with sauce and cheese. Or, get playful by serving Spaghetti Bolognese in mini ramekins or atop roasted spaghetti squash for a modern twist!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Spaghetti Bolognese actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen overnight! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Simply reheat before serving, and you’ve got a delicious meal ready to go.

Freezing

Bolognese sauce freezes like a charm. Spoon cooled sauce into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags, making sure to remove as much air as possible. Pop in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for an easy, homemade Italian dinner in a flash.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the sauce gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen it up. For spaghetti, a quick dunk in boiling water brings it back to life. Combine the two, sprinkle with fresh Parmesan, and enjoy Spaghetti Bolognese like it was just made.

FAQs

Can I make Spaghetti Bolognese without a slow cooker?

Yes, absolutely! If you don’t have a slow cooker, simply simmer the sauce gently in a large pot on the stovetop for about 60-90 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s thick and flavorful. The key is giving the sauce a little extra time for the flavors to fully develop.

What kind of ground beef is best for Spaghetti Bolognese?

Both lean and regular ground beef work, but a bit of fat adds wonderful richness to the sauce. If using lean beef, you can balance things out by sautéing with a touch more olive oil or by adding a splash of beef broth for extra depth.

Can I make Spaghetti Bolognese vegetarian?

Definitely! Substitute the ground beef for your favorite plant-based crumbles or lentils, and swap the beef broth for veggie broth. The sauce will still be hearty, savory, and totally satisfying.

Is there a way to make Spaghetti Bolognese gluten-free?

Simply use your favorite gluten-free pasta or serve the savory sauce over spiralized zucchini, roasted spaghetti squash, or gluten-free noodles. The Bolognese sauce itself is naturally gluten-free as written!

How do I prevent watery sauce?

If your sauce seems too thin at the end, just let it simmer (uncovered) for another 10-15 minutes until it thickens to your liking. Tomato paste works wonders for a rich, clingy texture, so don’t skip it!

Final Thoughts

There’s just something special about gathering around a table with a bubbling pot of Spaghetti Bolognese. It’s cozy, comforting, and impossibly satisfying—no matter if it’s a regular weeknight or a festive family feast. I hope you give this recipe a try and discover why Spaghetti Bolognese deserves a spot in your dinnertime hall of fame!

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