A classic Italian dish consisting of spaghetti pasta served with a meaty tomato sauce flavored with onions, garlic, herbs, and minced meat (typically beef or a combination of beef.
The "best" spaghetti Bolognese recipe can be subjective as it depends on personal taste preferences. However, here's a traditional and highly regarded recipe for spaghetti Bolognese:Ingredients:
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef (or a mixture of beef and pork)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (14 ounces/400g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for cooking
- 1 pound (450g) spaghetti
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil and sauté the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery until they start to soften and become translucent.
2. Add the ground beef (or beef/pork mixture) to the pot and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
3. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for a minute or two to toast it slightly.
4. Add the crushed tomatoes, beef or vegetable broth, red wine (if using), bay leaf, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
5. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it cook for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If you have more time, you can let it simmer for up to 3 hours to develop more flavors.
6. While the sauce is simmering, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta.
7. Taste the Bolognese sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remove the bay leaf.
8. Serve the spaghetti with a ladleful of the Bolognese sauce on top. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired.
This recipe yields a rich and flavorful spaghetti Bolognese sauce that pairs well with the pasta. Feel free to adjust the recipe according to your taste preferences by adding herbs, spices, or other ingredients that you enjoy.