Classic Spaghetti Bolognese with Rich Meat Sauce

A classic Italian dish that combines a rich and flavorful sauce with tender spaghetti. This hearty and comforting meal is perfect for family dinners or a comforting dinner for one.

dinner lunch Comfort food Family meals Italian Meat Pasta
Prep Time 20min
Cook Time 40min
Servings 4

Ingredients

For the sauce

For the spaghetti

Instructions

Prepare the Sauce

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.
  2. Add the ground meat to the pan and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
  3. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, stock, oregano, basil, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
  4. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If the sauce gets too thick, you can add a little more stock or water.
  5. Towards the end of cooking, add salt and pepper to taste.

Cook the Spaghetti

  1. While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (usually about 8-10 minutes).
  2. Drain the spaghetti, reserving a little pasta water to add to the sauce if needed.

Combine and Serve

  1. Toss the cooked spaghetti with the Bolognese sauce in the pan or serve the sauce over the pasta.
  2. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and optionally some fresh basil.
Recipe from PrepAhead: Weekly Meal Planner & Recipe Organizer - 2025-10-22