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Pasta Bolognese

A rich and hearty Italian meat sauce served over pasta, perfect for a comforting family meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

For the Bolognese Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin for better flavor
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 medium carrot finely diced
  • 1 medium celery stalk finely diced
  • 500 grams ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes about 400g
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste for added richness
  • 1 cup beef broth low sodium preferred
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil or fresh if available
For the Pasta
  • 300 grams spaghetti or your preferred pasta
For Serving
  • 50 grams Parmesan cheese freshly grated

Method
 

Prepare the Bolognese Sauce
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. This will help to sauté the vegetables and develop their flavors.
  2. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
  3. Add the minced garlic, diced carrot, and diced celery. Cook for another 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
  4. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Break it apart with a wooden spoon and cook until browned, about 8-10 minutes. This step is crucial for developing a rich flavor.
  5. Once the meat is browned, drain excess fat if necessary. Then, stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, oregano, basil, and bay leaf.
  6. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it cook for at least 60 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the deeper the flavors will become.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Cook the Pasta
  1. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. The salt enhances the pasta's flavor.
  2. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
  3. Once cooked, reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta in a colander.
  4. Add the drained pasta to the Bolognese sauce and toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
Serve
  1. Plate the pasta Bolognese and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
  2. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious homemade pasta Bolognese!

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 30gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For best results, allow the sauce to simmer longer for deeper flavors. You can also make the sauce a day ahead and let it sit in the fridge overnight to enhance the taste.

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