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Family dinner

Spaghetti Bolognese

A slow-simmered British-Italian family bolognese with deeply browned beef, a fine vegetable base and enough sauce to cling properly to the pasta.

Recipe bywjf.morris
MainFamily dinnerFreezer-friendlyDinnerHigh protein
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Total time1 hr 39 min
DifficultyModerate
Community ratingNew recipe
Per serving43.0g protein
Photograph of Spaghetti Bolognese
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Structure checkedAdaptive recipe data
Serves
4

Clear and checked

Method

Restoring cooking progress…
  1. 01

    Heat the olive oil

    11 minHands-on

    Heat the olive oil in the heavy saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery and 1/2 tsp of the salt. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring regularly, until soft and lightly golden rather than browned.

  2. 02

    Add the garlic and cook

    7 minHands-on

    Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the beef and spread it across the pan. Leave it undisturbed for 2 minutes, then break it up and cook for 6-8 minutes until no pink remains and several edges are well browned.

  3. 03

    Stir in the tomato puree and cook

    4 minHands-on

    Stir in the tomato puree and cook for 2 minutes. Add the wine or stock, scrape the browned residue from the pan and boil for 3-4 minutes until reduced by roughly half.

  4. 04

    Add the tomatoes

    3 minHands-on

    Add the tomatoes, stock, milk, bay leaf, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, pepper and remaining 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a gentle simmer.

  5. 05

    Partially cover and simmer

    55 minHands-off · check as directed

    Partially cover and simmer on the lowest heat for 50-60 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes. Remove the lid for the final 15 minutes if the sauce is still loose. It should be rich and spoonable, not watery.

  6. 06

    Bring a large pan of water to

    12 minHands-on

    Bring a large pan of water to a rolling boil. Add 2 tsp salt and the spaghetti. Cook for 1 minute less than the packet time, reserving 150ml pasta water before draining.

  7. 07

    Remove the bay leaf

    3 minHands-on

    Remove the bay leaf. Taste the sauce and adjust the salt and pepper. Loosen with a little pasta water if necessary.

  8. 08

    Return the spaghetti to its pan

    1 minHands-on

    Return the spaghetti to its pan, add roughly two-thirds of the bolognese and 50ml pasta water, then toss over low heat for 1 minute so the sauce coats the pasta.

  9. 09

    Divide between warm bowls

    3 minHands-on

    Divide between warm bowls, spoon over the remaining sauce and finish with Parmesan and herbs.

Equipment check

6 items required

  • Large heavy-based saucepan or casserole
  • Large pasta pan
  • Chopping board and chef's knife
  • Wooden spoon
  • Colander
  • Fine grater

Dietary and allergen note: Contains gluten, dairy and fish (Worcestershire sauce). Use gluten-free pasta and a suitable Worcestershire sauce if required.

Check the listed equipment and capacity before you start.

Recipe diagnostics

Checked before you cook.

Structurally checked

Metric quantities and serving yield are explicit

Method includes timing and doneness cues

Nutrition is identified as a calculated estimate

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