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Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe Easy Homemade Sauce for Cozy Dinners

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This cozy spaghetti Bolognese features a rich, homemade sauce packed with veggies, herbs, and a splash of red wine. It’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing pasta dish perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 150g)
  • 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced small (about 80g)
  • 1 celery stalk, diced small (about 60g)
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 for best flavor; can substitute ground turkey)
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine (or beef broth)
  • 1/3 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil (or Italian seasoning)
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, balances acidity)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 pound spaghetti (regular, whole wheat, or gluten-free)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano)

Instructions

  1. Finely chop onion, carrot, and celery. Mince garlic. Open crushed tomatoes and measure wine and milk.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes until browned.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in red wine (or beef broth) to deglaze, scraping up any stuck bits. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and sugar. Stir well. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover loosely, and cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Uncover and stir in milk. Simmer uncovered for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce is glossy and coats the back of a spoon.
  7. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions (8-10 minutes) until al dente.
  8. Discard bay leaf from sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning. Drain pasta and toss with sauce or plate spaghetti and ladle sauce over top.
  9. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve hot.

Notes

Brown the beef well for extra flavor. Sauté veggies slowly to bring out sweetness. Deglaze the pot for depth. Simmer sauce uncovered if too thin. Save pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Let sauce rest 5 minutes before serving for best flavor. Easily adapted for gluten-free or dairy-free diets.

Nutrition

Keywords: spaghetti bolognese, homemade sauce, cozy dinner, Italian pasta, easy bolognese, family meal, comfort food, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/spaghetti-bolognese-recipe-easy-homemade-sauce-for-cozy-dinners/