The Most Comforting Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe for Chilly Nights

Crafting an authentic spaghetti bolognese sparks culinary magic in kitchens everywhere.

Roots of this classic dish stretch back through italian cooking traditions.

Rich, meaty sauce simmering gently creates comfort on a plate.

Generations have perfected this hearty meal with love and care.

Robust flavors meld together, telling stories of home and heritage.

Weeknight dinners or special gatherings become memorable with each forkful.

You’ll want to savor every delicious bite of this timeless recipe.

Ingredients Needed For Nigella Spaghetti Bolognese

• Beef: A hearty protein that forms the base of the Bolognese sauce.
• Spaghetti: A classic Italian pasta that perfectly catches the rich sauce.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Provides a smooth, tangy foundation for the sauce.
• Tomato Paste: Adds depth and concentrated tomato flavor.

• Onion, Carrot, Celery, Garlic: A traditional Italian sofrito that builds a robust flavor base for the sauce.

• Oregano, Basil, Salt, Pepper: Classic Italian herbs and seasonings that enhance the sauce's overall taste profile.

• Olive Oil: Helps to sauté vegetables and add richness to the sauce.
• Wine, Broth: Provide additional depth and complexity to the Bolognese sauce.

• Parmesan Cheese: A classic Italian cheese that adds a salty, nutty finish to the dish.

How To Make Nigella Spaghetti Bolognese

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until it turns a rich, golden brown color, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Onion
• Carrot
• Celery
• Garlic

Sauté the vegetables until they become soft and fragrant, releasing their delicious flavors into the pan.

Step 3: Enhance with Tomato Paste

Stir in tomato paste and cook for about a minute, allowing it to caramelize and deepen the sauce’s rich flavor profile.

Step 4: Create the Sauce Base

• Crushed tomatoes
• Red wine
• Beef broth

Stir the ingredients thoroughly to create a smooth, harmonious sauce.

Step 5: Season the Bolognese

• Oregano
• Basil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix well to distribute the flavors evenly throughout the sauce.

Step 6: Simmer the Sauce

Partially cover the pan and let the sauce simmer gently for one hour. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld and intensify.

Step 7: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until it reaches the perfect al dente texture, maintaining a slight firmness when bitten.

Step 8: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Drain the spaghetti and mix it with a portion of the prepared Bolognese sauce, ensuring the pasta is well-coated.

Step 9: Plate and Garnish

Serve the spaghetti in individual bowls, topping each portion with additional Bolognese sauce and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Tips That Help With Nigella Spaghetti Bolognese

• Boost Meat Flavor: Brown beef thoroughly on high heat to develop rich, caramelized flavors that enhance the overall taste of the Bolognese sauce.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Let sauce simmer uncovered for the last 15 minutes to naturally thicken and concentrate flavors without becoming too watery.
• Chop Vegetables Finely: Dice onions, carrots, and celery into uniform small pieces to ensure even cooking and seamless sauce texture.
• Choose Quality Ingredients: Use fresh herbs and good-quality canned tomatoes for a more authentic and robust Italian-style Bolognese sauce.
• Pasta Perfection: Cook spaghetti just until al dente to maintain a slight firmness and better absorb the rich meat sauce.

Simple Variations For Nigella Spaghetti Bolognese

• Vegetarian Bolognese: Replace beef with lentils or plant-based meat crumbles for a protein-packed meatless version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use zucchini noodles or gluten-free spaghetti instead of traditional pasta.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute spaghetti with spiralized vegetables like spaghetti squash or cauliflower rice.
• Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Add red pepper flakes and swap basil for fresh mint to create a bolder flavor profile.

Pairing Suggestions For Nigella Spaghetti Bolognese

• Pair Perfect Primitivo Wine: Rich, bold red wine from Puglia, Italy matches the hearty meat sauce's robust flavors and complements the tomato's acidity perfectly.
• Elevate with Garlic Bread: Crispy, buttery garlic bread provides delightful texture contrast, soaks up extra sauce, and adds complementary herbal notes to the dish.
• Create Fresh Herb Salad: Light, crisp green salad with arugula, parsley, and lemon vinaigrette cuts through the sauce's richness, balancing the meal's heavy protein profile.
• Finish with Tiramisu: Classic Italian dessert with creamy mascarpone and coffee undertones offers a sweet ending that echoes the meal's Mediterranean culinary roots.

Storing Nigella Spaghetti Bolognese Made Easy

• Store leftover Bolognese sauce in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer sauce to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, label with date, and freeze for up to 3 months. Flat storage saves space and helps faster thawing.
• Place sauce in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a lid or microwave-safe wrap. Heat on medium power, stirring every 30 seconds until thoroughly warm. Add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying.
• Pour sauce into a saucepan, add a little water or broth. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.

FAQs For Nigella Spaghetti Bolognese

• What ingredients make the sauce flavorful?

Fresh ingredients like onions, carrots, celery, and garlic create a rich base. The combination of herbs like oregano and basil, plus red wine, adds depth and complexity to the Bolognese sauce.

• Is this an authentic Italian Bolognese recipe?

While inspired by traditional Italian cooking, this recipe is a classic home-style version. Authentic Bolognese from Bologna, Italy, might have slight variations in technique and ingredients.

• Can I use a different type of meat?

Ground beef works best, but you can substitute with a mix of ground beef and pork for extra flavor. Ground turkey is a leaner alternative, though it might change the sauce’s richness.

Why Nigella Spaghetti Bolognese Is A Family Favorite

• Master Flavor Fusion: This classic Italian dish combines tender beef, aromatic vegetables, and rich tomato sauce, creating a symphony of tastes that dance on your palate.
• Craft One-Pot Wonder: With minimal kitchen equipment needed and straightforward cooking steps, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal anyone can prepare.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adapt the sauce's thickness, spice level, and protein choice to match your family's preferences, making it a versatile crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings.
• Nourish with Nutrition: Packed with protein from beef, vitamins from vegetables, and complex carbohydrates from pasta, this meal delivers a balanced and satisfying dining experience that keeps everyone happy and full.

Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Spaghetti Bolognese brings classic Italian comfort straight to your kitchen, blending rich meaty sauce with perfectly cooked pasta. Comfort meets culinary tradition in this soul-warming dish you’ll savor with each delicious, flavor-packed bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 500 grams (1.1 pounds) ground beef

Vegetables:

• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 400 grams (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) red wine
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Pasta:

• 400 grams (14 ounces) spaghetti

Garnish:

• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

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Instructions

1. Warm a deep skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat, allowing the pan to reach proper temperature.
2. Introduce ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into smaller pieces and searing until the meat develops a rich, caramel-brown color and releases its natural juices.
3. Incorporate finely chopped onion, carrot, celery, and minced garlic into the meat, gently sautéing until the vegetables soften and become translucent.
4. Blend in tomato paste, stirring continuously for approximately 60 seconds to enhance its robust flavor and eliminate raw taste.
5. Pour crushed tomatoes, red wine, and beef broth into the skillet, mixing thoroughly to create a harmonious sauce base.
6. Sprinkle dried oregano, fresh basil, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper, allowing the herbs to infuse their aromatic qualities.
7. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet partially, and let the sauce simmer for 60 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking.
8. While sauce develops, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook spaghetti until it reaches perfect al dente texture.
9. Drain pasta, reserving a small amount of cooking water, and gently toss with a portion of the rich Bolognese sauce.
10. Plate the spaghetti, generously ladle additional sauce on top, and finish with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

• Enhance meat flavor by using a mix of ground beef and pork for deeper, richer taste.
• Control sauce thickness by simmering uncovered if too watery or adding a splash of pasta water for desired consistency.
• Make it vegetarian by substituting meat with lentils, mushrooms, or plant-based ground meat alternatives.
• Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and ensure even cooking of vegetables and meat.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 510 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg