This Spaghetti Bolognese recipe is full of delicious, meaty flavor and is so easy to make! It’s perfect for a quick weekday dinner . Plus, it’s freezer-friendly!
Be sure to serve this with my delicious side Caesar Salad!
Bolognese Sauce Ingredients
- Olive Oil– High quality goes a long way!
- Yellow Onion
- Carrot
- Celery
- Garlic– Mince fresh cloves yourself for ultimate flavor
- Beef- I use 80% lean
- Italian Sausage- Sweet or Hot, (I use hot)
- Red Wine– High quality is best. Chianti, Pinot Pior, Merlot are great in Bolognese sauce.If you dont want to use wine than substitute for wine are given below.
- Crushed Tomatoes- Make sure you get the ground stuff, not chunky diced tomatoes.
- Rosemary– fresh or dry
- Sage– fresh or dry
- Salt
- Pepper
- Parsley– to garnish
- Grated Parmesan– to garnish
Bolognese Sauce vs. Spaghetti Sauce
Bolognese sauce is primarily comprised of meat (ground beef), with just a bit of tomato sauce. Spaghetti sauce is mostly made of tomato or marinara sauce and can be completely meat free.
Best Red Wines for This Recipe
- Chianti
- Pinot Pior
- Merlot
Red Wine Substitutes
- Alcoholic Options include white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or Orvieto.
- Non-Alcoholic Options include Red Wine Vinegar, Tomato Juice, or 2 TBS tomato paste + 1 cup beef broth.
Storage
- This spaghetti Bolognese reheats well in the microwave or on the stove top.
- Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it’s best if eaten within three days.
Freezing
- Bolognese Sauce makes a great freezer food and is best if you can freeze it separately from the pasta.
- To freeze, let it cool completely. Store it in a labeled airtight container. It’s best if you use is within 3 months.
- Boil fresh pasta once ready to serve it.
- Let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight if possible. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove top.
PSST: If you do freeze it with the spaghetti mixed in, it’s totally okay. I do it all the time.
Servings
5
Spaghetti Bolognese
| Prep Time 10 Mins | Cook Time 1 HR | Total Time 1 HR 10 MINS |
| Author Zeeshan | Course MAIN COURSE | Cuisine ITALIAN |
This Spaghetti Bolognese recipe is full of delicious, meaty flavor and is so easy to make! It’s perfect for a quick weekday dinner or an indulgent weekend meal . Plus, it’s freezer-friendly!
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 1 carrot diced
- 1 celery stalk diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ pound ground beef 80% lean
- 6 oz. ground Italian sausage sweet or spicy
- 1 cup red wine see note 1
- 18 oz can ground/crushed tomatoes see note 2
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary or 1/4 tsp dry
- 1 teaspoon fresh sage or 1/4 tsp dry
- Salt/Pepper to taste
- 12 oz. spaghetti (3/4 of a 1 lb. box.)
- Fresh parsley to garnish
- Parmesan cheese to garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large saucepan.
- Add the onions, carrots, and celery and cook until softened. About 5 minutes.
- Add the meat and cook for 10 additional minutes, crumbling and stirring occasionally.
- Deglaze the pan with the wine.
- Add the tomatoes and seasonings. Let simmer for one hour, partially covered.
- Taste it and season with salt and pepper if desired.
- Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain well. Use kitchen tongs to toss the spaghetti into the saucepan with the pasta sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese and serve!
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Chianti, Pinot Pior, and Merlot are the best wines for Bolognese sauce. (I’ve also used Cabernet Sauvignon.)
Substitutes for Red Wine in Bolognese Sauce:
- Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or Orvieto.
- Red Wine Vinegar, Tomato Juice, or 2 TBS tomato paste + 1 cup beef broth. See here for additional options.
Note 2: I use a full 28 oz. can of crushed tomatoes when I make this recipe, you can adjust this based on your preference. Authentic Bolognese has less tomato sauce than this.
A bay leaf and a pinch of red pepper flakes may also be added if desired.
Scissor Salad is perfect with this meal!
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Calories: 575, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 58mg, Sodium: 430mg, Potassium: 791mg, Carbohydrates: 63g, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 8g, Protein: 24g, Vitamin A: 2258%, Vitamin C: 13%, Calcium: 81%, Iron: 4%