Spaghetti Bolognese

A classic dish when you crave quick and comforting food is pasta—the go-to ingredient for many. And what pairs perfectly with pasta? The sauce. While some lean towards the youthful choice of Carbonara, there’s a legendary sauce that stands the test of time, loved by both kids and adults alike. If you’re ever in doubt about which sauce to choose, Bolognese is the timeless go-to. While supermarkets offer various pre-made options, I personally find them acceptable for a quick meal, but if you want your store-bought sauce to taste more like homemade, here are some tips (although my intention is not just to share tips for turning pre-made Bolognese into homemade).

Make the magic!!

Bolognese pot from supermarket to a nearly homemade sauce.

Choose your preferred pre-made Bolognese sauce from the supermarket; Panzani is my favorite.

1. Slice 4 large shallots very thinly.
2. In a saucepan, combine butter and olive oil, sauté the shallots until transparent/tender.
3. Add 250g of minced beef (adjust for more servings).
4. Season with oregano, Provencal herbs, paprika (or piment d’espelette), and pepper (salt last, as bottled sauce already contains salt).
5. Add your chosen pre-made Bolognese sauce from the market.
6. Once cooked through and well-blended, taste and adjust the flavor to your liking.

BON APPÉTIT! This is the easy way to elevate your pre-made Bolognese!

Now! the real deal

Let’s make a real homemade bolognese sauce!

Making a homemade sauce takes time, especially if you’re a fan of authenticity and have the time to spare. Prepare a larger batch for four meals, freeze it in bags, and thaw whenever needed.

Tips for Homemade Bolognese:

• Simmer over low heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Don’t forget to include smoky bacon.
• Wine adds flavor to the sauce.
• Milk can be added to blend the flavors (optional, depending on your preference).

Spaghetti Bolognese

Cuisine:Italian

Difficulty:BeginnerTotal time:1 hour 49 minutesServings:4 servings Best Season:Available

Ingredients

• 500g ground beef
• 50 g smoky bacon, finely chopped
• 1 cup red wine
• 50 ml whole milk (optional)

Vegetables

• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 small carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 celery stalks, finely chopped

Seasoning

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-3 Bay leaves
• 1/2 tsp Oregano
• 1 tsp Provençale herbs
• 1 tsp Paprika and Cayenne (or piment d’Espellettes)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Sauce base

• 1 Tbsp concentrate tomatoes
• 500 ml puree tomatoes

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and bacon, cook until crispy.
2. Add chopped carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook until vegetables are softened.
3. Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned. Seasoning it with salt, pepper, paprika, Provençale herbs, oregano, bay leaves, cayenne and concentrated tomatoes. Stir well to combined and till it smells the herbs.
   
4. Pour in red wine, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze.
   Add puree tomatoes and 300 ml of water. Bring to a simmer.
   
5. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
6. Optional: Add milk to the sauce, stirring well.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve over your favorite pasta.

Keywords:beef, bolognese, European food, pasta, spaghetti, tomato