Classic Spaghetti Bolognese: A Rich and Hearty Italian Pasta Dish

Spaghetti Bolognese is a classic Italian pasta dish featuring a rich, slow-cooked meat sauce made with ground beef, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a comforting and satisfying meal!

Ingredients:

For the Bolognese Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, finely diced
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• ½ cup red wine (optional, for depth of flavor)
• 1 cup beef broth (or water)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (to balance acidity, optional)
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ cup whole milk (for creaminess)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)

For the Pasta:

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling water)

For Garnish:

• Fresh basil leaves
• Extra Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Sauté the Aromatics:

   • Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
   • Add onion, carrots, and celery, cooking for 5 minutes until softened.
   • Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

2. Brown the Meat:

   • Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.

3. Build the Sauce:

   • Stir in salt, black pepper, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes.
   • Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavor.
   • Pour in crushed tomatoes, red wine (if using), and beef broth.
   • Add sugar and bay leaf, then stir well.

4. Simmer:

   • Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
   • Stir in milk and Parmesan cheese during the last 10 minutes for a richer taste.

5. Cook the Spaghetti:

   • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and cook spaghetti according to package instructions.
   • Drain and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.

6. Assemble and Serve:

   • Remove the bay leaf from the sauce.
   • Serve the Bolognese sauce over the spaghetti.
   • Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese.

Tips:

• For authentic flavor, simmer the sauce for up to 2 hours—the longer, the better!
• Use fresh herbs like basil or parsley for extra freshness.
• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for later use.