Description
Spaghetti Bolognese is a classic Italian pasta dish featuring a rich and savory meat sauce made with ground beef, pancetta, vegetables, red wine, and milk, served over perfectly cooked spaghetti and topped with Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 7 ounces pancetta rounds, 1/2 inch thick, diced
- 2 medium onions (14 oz), finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots (6 oz), finely chopped
- 3 stalks celery (6 oz), finely chopped
- 3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 pound 10 ounces lean ground beef
- 1 cup dry red wine (Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 1 2/3 cups beef stock (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 2/3 cups whole milk
- 1 can (14 ounces) plum tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
- 16 to 18 ounces spaghetti
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add diced pancetta and cook until crisp. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add remaining olive oil. Sauté onions, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened, about 5–7 minutes.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Pour in red wine and simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Add beef stock, milk, plum tomatoes, black pepper, bay leaves, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently for 1.5–2 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaves before serving.
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions in salted water. Drain and toss with a little sauce to coat.
- Serve spaghetti topped with Bolognese sauce and grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- For richer flavor, simmer the sauce slowly for longer, up to 3 hours, adding stock if needed.
- Use fresh Parmesan for best taste.
- The sauce can be made a day ahead; flavors improve overnight in the fridge.
- Optional: add a pinch of nutmeg or chili flakes for extra depth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: spaghetti bolognese, Italian pasta, meat sauce pasta, classic Bolognese, hearty pasta dinner