How to Make Pasta Bolognese

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground Beef (80% lean, broken up)
• 1 medium Onion (finely diced)
• 1 Carrot (peeled and finely diced)
• 2 Celery Stalks (finely diced)
• 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil (extra virgin)
• 0.5 cup Red Wine (dry, optional but recommended)
• 28 oz Canned Diced Tomatoes (no added salt)
• 2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
• 1 tsp Dried Oregano
• 1 Bay Leaf
• to taste Salt
• to taste Black Pepper (freshly ground)
• 12 oz Spaghetti (dry)
• 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)

Instructions

1. Prep Vegetables

   Dice the onion, carrot, and celery into very small pieces (a fine mirepoix) and mince the garlic.

   Time: PT10M

2. Heat Oil

   Add olive oil to the skillet over medium heat and let it shimmer.

   Time: PT2M

   Temperature: medium heat

3. Sauté Vegetables

   Add the diced onion, carrot, celery, and garlic to the oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: medium heat

4. Brown the Beef

   Increase heat to medium‑high, add the ground beef, breaking it up with the spoon. Cook until the meat loses its pink color and begins to brown, about 8‑10 minutes.

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: medium‑high heat

5. Deglaze with Wine

   Pour in the red wine, stirring to loosen any browned bits from the bottom. Let it reduce by half, about 3‑4 minutes.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: medium‑high heat

6. Add Tomatoes and Simmer

   Stir in the canned tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a low simmer. Cover partially and let it cook for 1 hour 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

   Time: PT1H30M

   Temperature: low simmer

7. Cook Spaghetti

   While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water.

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: boiling

8. Combine and Serve

   Remove the bay leaf from the sauce. Toss the cooked spaghetti with the Bolognese sauce, adding reserved pasta water if needed to coat evenly. Plate and finish with freshly grated Parmesan.

   Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

620

Protein

35 g

Carbohydrates

68 g

Fat

22 g

Fiber

5 g