Experience the heartwarming flavors of Italy with this classic Basic Italian Bolognese.

This rich and savory meat sauce, slow-cooked with a medley of finely chopped vegetables and tomatoes, creates a comforting dish that pairs perfectly with spaghetti.

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Topped with a generous sprinkle of Cheddar or Parmesan cheese, this recipe is a timeless favorite that brings both tradition and comfort to your dinner table.

Ingredients

• 2 onions
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 large carrot
• 1 celery stalk
• 1 zucchini
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound (500g) lean ground beef
• 2 cans (14.5 oz each/400g each) plum tomatoes
• 16 oz (450g) dried spaghetti
• Cheddar or Parmesan cheese, for serving

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

• Peel the onions and garlic.
• Trim and finely chop or coarsely grate the carrot, celery, and zucchini.

Step 2: Cook the Vegetables

• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large casserole pan over medium-low heat.
• Add the chopped vegetables and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and lightly golden.

Step 3: Brown the Meat

• Add the ground beef to the pan.
• Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until the meat is browned and the vegetables are well-cooked.

Step 4: Add Tomatoes

• Crush the plum tomatoes with your hands and add them to the pan.
• Fill each tomato can halfway with water, swirl it to pick up any remaining tomato, and pour this into the pan as well.

Step 5: Simmer the Sauce

• Stir the mixture well, season with a pinch of black pepper, and reduce the heat to low.
• Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 hours, or until it has thickened and reduced to your desired consistency.

Step 6: Cook the Spaghetti

• About 15 minutes before you’re ready to serve, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package instructions.
• Drain well.

Step 7: Serve

• Divide the cooked spaghetti among bowls.
• Spoon the Bolognese sauce over the top and finish with a generous grating of Cheddar or Parmesan cheese.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of ground meat?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or pork. Adjust cooking times accordingly if needed.

How can I make this recipe vegetarian?

To make a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with lentils or a plant-based meat alternative. Adjust cooking times as needed.

Basic Italian Bolognese

This Basic Italian Bolognese features a rich and hearty meat sauce made from finely chopped vegetables and tomatoes, served over spaghetti and topped with your choice of Cheddar or Parmesan cheese.

Print Pin Rate

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 oz onions
• ▢ 2 garlic cloves
• ▢ 1 large carrot
• ▢ 1 celery stalk
• ▢ 1 zucchini
• ▢ 2 tbsp olive oil
• ▢ 1 lb (500g) lean ground beef
• ▢ 2 cans (14.5 oz each/400g each) plum tomatoes
• ▢ 16 oz (450g) dried spaghetti
• ▢ Cheddar or Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

Prepare the Vegetables

1. Peel the onions and garlic.

   Trim and finely chop or coarsely grate the carrot, celery, and zucchini.

Cook the Vegetables

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large casserole pan over medium-low heat.

   Add the chopped vegetables and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and lightly golden.

Brown the Meat

1. Add the ground beef to the pan.

   Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until the meat is browned and the vegetables are well-cooked.

Add Tomatoes

1. Crush the plum tomatoes with your hands and add them to the pan.

   Fill each tomato can halfway with water, swirl it to pick up any remaining tomato, and pour this into the pan as well.

Simmer the Sauce

1. Stir the mixture well, season with a pinch of black pepper, and reduce the heat to low.

   Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 hours, or until it has thickened and reduced to your desired consistency.

Cook the Spaghetti

1. About 15 minutes before you’re ready to serve, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package instructions.

   Drain well.

Serve

1. Divide the cooked spaghetti among bowls.

   Spoon the Bolognese sauce over the top and finish with a generous grating of Cheddar or Parmesan cheese.

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