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A steaming bowl of Spaghetti Bolognese garnished with fresh herbs.

Best way to grow your perfect Spaghetti Bolognese

This recipe guides you through creating a rich, flavorful Spaghetti Bolognese from scratch, emphasizing fresh ingredients and a slow cooking process for a truly authentic taste.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Bolognese
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 100 g pancetta, diced
  • 2 medium onions, finely chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 500 g ground beef
  • 250 g ground pork
  • 250 ml red wine
  • 800 g can crushed tomatoes
  • 250 ml beef broth
  • 125 ml milk
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
For Serving
  • 400 g spaghetti
  • Parmesan cheese, grated for garnish
  • fresh basil, chopped for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, then add pancetta and cook until crispy.
  2. Remove pancetta, leaving the fat, and add chopped onions, carrots, and celery, cooking until softened.
  3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, then add ground beef and pork, breaking it up and browning evenly.
  4. Drain excess fat, pour in red wine, and simmer until nearly evaporated, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
  5. Add crushed tomatoes, beef broth, milk, bay leaves, and oregano, then bring to a gentle simmer.
Cooking
  1. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for at least 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
  2. Season the Bolognese with salt and pepper to taste, then remove the bay leaves.
Serving
  1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. Serve the Bolognese sauce over hot spaghetti, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Notes

For an even richer flavor, prepare the Bolognese a day in advance and reheat slowly. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg for an authentic touch. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little more beef broth or water.