Spaghetti Bolognese

Recipe video above. My everyday Bolognese recipe I make over and over again. This Meat Sauce has terrific depth of flavour for such a quick recipe - though if you have the time, it's stellar cooked slowly for a couple of hours. My 3 "secret" tips are: Worcestershire Sauce, Beef Bouillon Cubes and a touch of sugar.

Recipe by Nagi | RecipeTin Eats on November 10, 2019

Prep time: PT10M

Cook time: PT30M

Total time: PT40M

Rating

4.98 stars (385 reviews)

Keywords

Bolognese Sauce, Meat sauce, Spagetti Bolognese

Ingredients

1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves (, minced)
1 onion (, finely chopped (brown, yellow or white))
1 lb / 500g beef mince (ground beef) (OR half pork, half beef (Note 1))
1/2 cup (125 ml) dry red wine ((sub water or beef broth/stock))
2 beef bouillon cubes (, crumbled OR granulated beef bouillon (Note 2))
800g / 28 oz can crushed tomato ((or tomato passata))
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp white sugar (, if needed (Note 3))
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 dried bay leaves
2 sprigs fresh thyme ((or 1/2 tsp dried thyme or oregano))
3/4 tsp cooking salt (kosher salt)
1/2 tsp black pepper
400 g / 13 oz spaghetti (, dried)
Parmesan cheese (and finely chopped parsley (optional))

Cuisine

Italian
Western

Steps

Sauté - Heat oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic, cook for 3 minutes or until light golden and softened.
Cook beef - Turn heat up to high and add beef. Cook, breaking it up as your go, until browned.
Reduce wine - Add red wine. Bring to simmer and cook for 1 minute, scraping the bottom of the pot, until the alcohol smell is gone.
Simmer - Add the remaining ingredients. Stir, bring to a simmer then turn down to medium so it bubbles gently. Cook for 20 - 30 minutes (no lid), adding water if the sauce gets too thick for your taste. Stir occasionally.
Slow simmer option: really takes this to another level, if you have the time! Add 3/4 cup of water, cover with lid and simmer on very low for 2 - 2.5 hours, stirring every 30 minutes or so. (Note 5) Uncover, simmer 20 minutes to thicken sauce. (Note 6 for slow cooker)
Taste and add more salt it desired. Serve over spaghetti - though if you have the time, I recommend tossing the sauce and pasta per steps below.
Tossing Sauce and Spaghetti (optional, Note 4)
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook per packet directions MINUS 1 minute.
- Scoop out a mug of pasta cooking water and set aside, then drain the pasta.
- Add pasta into the bolognese sauce with about 1/2 cup (125 ml) of reserved pasta water over medium heat. Toss gently for 1 1/2 - 2 minutes, or until the spaghetti turns red and the sauce thickens.
- Divide between bowls. Garnish with parmesan and parsley if desired.

Nutitrion

Serving Size: 396 g
Calories: 510 kcal
Carbohydrates: 53.2 g
Protein: 40.9 g
Fat: 12.6 g
Saturated Fat: 3.3 g
Cholesterol: 143 mg
Sodium: 368 mg
Sugar: 8.4 g

Reviews

Phil on 2025-08-06 (3 stars):
Way too tomatoey for me next time I'll omit the tomato puree. Sorry Nagi😉
Austin Morgan on 2025-08-05 (5 stars):
This was absolutely delicious. First time trying a wide noodle & my pasta loving daughter approved of both the noodle & sauce recipe! 10/10
Ralph on 2025-08-05 (5 stars):
Turned out really tasty just did a taste test can taste all ingredients looking forward to dinner..
Imogen on 2025-07-23 (5 stars):
Nagi's recipes are consistently absolutely banging! A stellar bolognese. I cooked it in the slow cooker & would definitely recommend.
Kate Smith on 2025-07-20 (5 stars):
Absolutely delicious. So much nicer than the one I've made my whole life. Thank you so much!
Zara on 2025-07-20 (5 stars):
I don’t say this lightly: this recipe is next-level. It’s like it was sent from the heavens straight to my kitchen. Rich, flavorful, and completely addictive! And slow cooking it is a must. Once you taste it, all other sauces will just taste like disappointment. My family would stage a revolt if I ever stopped making it. This recipe owns us now.
Zara on 2025-07-20 (5 stars):
I don’t say this lightly: this recipe is next-level. It’s like it was sent from the heavens straight to my kitchen. Rich, flavorful, and completely addictive! Once you taste it, all other sauces will just taste like disappointment. My family would stage a revolt if I ever stopped making it. This recipe owns us now.
Delphia on 2025-06-16 (5 stars):
1st time making as per recipe (almost) Added dried soaked shitake smashed in the food processor with the water. Husband says "I love how your bolognaise is always the same." Oh, he's so cute & clueless!!!! :) I add whatever on bin night so it NEVER tastes the same!
Laurel on 2025-06-04 (5 stars):
Absolutely divine! I took the extra step of tossing the pasta in the sauce and from now on I will always do it that way. I like spicy food, so I added Bird's Eye Chilli. By the way, in South Africa we also like abbreviating words, so a sandwich is a sarmie.
Sakura on 2025-05-16 (5 stars):
Always a hit ! The best bolognese recipe !
Stacey on 2025-05-16 (5 stars):
I love this recipe, but am making it for someone who can’t have wine at the moment. Is there a sub l can use instead. Thanks
Nadia on 2025-05-13 (5 stars):
My favourite Spag Bol recipe! It’s on fortnightly rotation with Italian Meatballs on the alternative week. I add one carrot and celery to up the veges for my toddler, otherwise it’s a great recipe! I haven’t done the slow simmer option because I’m never organised enough but plenty of flavour and richness from the normal method
IRENE G on 2025-05-02 (5 stars):
I cooked this tonight. I have all the ingredients and it was a quick dinner. Taste was not compromised. I threw in some carrots and mushrooms so that we have veggie in this meal. :)
Sue on 2025-04-23 (5 stars):
Yes you can. I always make a double batch & freeze half.