Sizzling Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe: A Hearty Italian Classic

Crafting an authentic spaghetti bolognese brings pure comfort straight to your dinner table.

Generations of italian cooks have perfected this hearty classic through careful technique and deep passion.

Rich tomato sauce simmering with tender ground beef creates magic in every single bite.

Meaty aromas will drift through your kitchen, promising deliciousness ahead.

Fresh herbs and slow-cooked ingredients make this dish seriously special.

A culinary journey awaits you with each carefully measured ingredient.

Invite loved ones to gather around and savor this incredible meal together.

How To Store James Martin Spaghetti Bolognese Well

• Store leftover Bolognese sauce in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pour sauce into freezer-safe containers or bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Transfer sauce to a microwave-safe dish. Cover and heat on medium power, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly warm. Add a splash of water if sauce seems dry.
• Warm sauce in a pan over medium-low heat. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Add a little stock or water to maintain moisture and prevent sticking.

James Martin Spaghetti Bolognese Questions Answered

• What are the key vegetables in this Bolognese sauce?

Onions, celery, and carrots form the classic Italian soffritto base, providing deep flavor and aromatic foundation for the rich meat sauce.

• Why is browning the beef important?

Browning creates a caramelized exterior that develops complex, deep flavors through the Maillard reaction, enhancing the overall taste of the Bolognese sauce.

• How long does the sauce need to simmer?

The sauce requires a long, slow simmer of about 2-3 hours, which allows the flavors to meld together and the meat to become incredibly tender and develop a rich, concentrated taste.

• Can I use different herbs in this recipe?

While the recipe uses thyme and basil, traditional Italian Bolognese often includes oregano or parsley, so you can experiment with herbs based on your preference.

What’s Great About James Martin Spaghetti Bolognese

• Craft Culinary Comfort: Spaghetti Bolognese delivers a heartwarming meal that feels like a warm hug from an Italian grandmother, perfect for satisfying deep hunger cravings.
• Master Flavor-Packed Technique: The slow simmering process allows ingredients to blend beautifully, creating a rich, complex sauce that transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet experience.
• Crowd-Pleasing Champion: This classic dish appeals to all ages, making it ideal for family dinners, gatherings, and potlucks where everyone craves a reliable, delicious meal.
• Flexible Family Favorite: The recipe welcomes easy customization with different cheese types, herb variations, or meat substitutions, ensuring it adapts to various dietary preferences and pantry ingredients.

James Martin Spaghetti Bolognese Ingredient List

• Ground Beef: A rich and flavorful meat that forms the base of the Bolognese sauce.

• Onion, Celery, Carrot: A classic mirepoix that provides a deep, sweet foundation for the sauce.
• Garlic: Adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to the dish.

• Thyme, Basil: Fresh herbs that bring a fragrant and earthy dimension to the sauce.

• Tomato Puree: Concentrates the tomato flavor and adds thickness to the sauce.
• Passata: A smooth, uncooked tomato sauce that provides a rich tomato base.
• Stock: Enhances the depth and complexity of the sauce.
• Wine: Adds acidity and complexity to the Bolognese sauce.

• Oil, Butter: Provide a rich base for sautéing vegetables and browning the meat.

• Spaghetti: The classic pasta choice for this traditional Italian sauce.

• Cheese, Basil: Adds a fresh and creamy finish to the dish.

Steps To Make James Martin Spaghetti Bolognese

Step 1: Chop and Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Finely dice the onion, celery, and carrot. Heat a large skillet with olive oil and butter. Gently cook the chopped vegetables until they become soft and translucent, releasing their sweet and savory flavors.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

Add ground beef to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook until it’s deeply browned and develops a rich caramelized color. This step builds incredible depth of flavor for the sauce.

Step 3: Enhance with Herbs and Tomato

Introduce minced garlic, fresh thyme, and basil to the meat mixture. Stir in tomato puree, which will add a concentrated tomato essence to the sauce. Let the herbs and puree meld with the meat for a few minutes.

Step 4: Create the Liquid Base

Pour in the passata, beef stock, and red wine. These liquids will create a luscious, complex sauce that will simmer and develop rich flavors. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 5: Slow Simmer the Sauce

Reduce heat to low and let the sauce cook slowly for about 2 hours. The long, slow cooking will tenderize the meat and concentrate the flavors, creating a deeply satisfying bolognese sauce.

Step 6: Prepare the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until it reaches al dente perfection. Drain the pasta, reserving a small amount of pasta water.

Step 7: Combine and Serve

Toss the cooked spaghetti with the rich bolognese sauce. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to help the sauce cling to the noodles. Plate the pasta and generously sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and torn fresh basil leaves.

Quick Help For James Martin Spaghetti Bolognese

• Chop Veggies Finely: Dice onion, celery, and carrot into uniform small pieces for even cooking and better sauce texture.
• Brown Meat Perfectly: Ensure beef is dry before adding to pan and cook on high heat to develop rich, deep flavor without steaming.
• Slow Simmer Matters: Let sauce cook low and slow for maximum flavor development and meat tenderness, stirring occasionally.
• Wine Selection Tip: Use a dry red wine like Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon to enhance the sauce's depth and complexity.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Sprinkle freshly chopped basil just before serving to boost the aroma and add brightness to the dish.

Recipe Options For James Martin Spaghetti Bolognese

• Vegetarian Bolognese: Replace beef with lentils, mushrooms, or plant-based meat alternatives for a protein-packed meatless version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta instead of traditional spaghetti to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Add red pepper flakes, swap basil for oregano, and include kalamata olives for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute spaghetti with spiralized vegetables like spaghetti squash or cauliflower rice for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate meal.

Side Picks For James Martin Spaghetti Bolognese

• Elevate Flavor with Italian Red Wine Pairing: Choose a robust Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich, meaty bolognese sauce, cutting through its richness while enhancing the tomato and beef notes.
• Cheese Selection for Maximum Enjoyment: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano on top, which adds sharp, salty complexity that perfectly balances the sauce's deep flavors.
• Herbal Side Salad Companion: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a fresh, peppery contrast to the hearty pasta, cleansing the palate between bites.
• Crusty Bread Recommendation: Serve warm, rustic Italian bread on the side to soak up extra sauce, adding textural variety and ensuring no delicious bolognese goes to waste.

Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Rich and hearty spaghetti bolognese weaves classic Italian flavors into a comforting meal that delights palates. Slow-simmered beef ragù nestled over perfectly al dente pasta promises a memorable dining experience you’ll savor with each delicious bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) beef stewing steak, minced or chopped

Pasta:

• 300 grams (10.6 ounces) fresh spaghetti

Base Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 stick celery, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, diced

Herbs:

• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 small bunch fresh basil

Liquids and Sauces:

• 50 milliliters (1.7 fluid ounces) olive oil
• 50 grams (1.8 ounces) butter
• 500 grams (17.6 ounces) passata
• 100 milliliters (3.4 fluid ounces) beef stock
• 1 glass red wine
• 3 tablespoons tomato puree

Cheese:

• Parmesan or pecorino, to serve

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Sauté diced onion, celery, and carrot in a blend of oil and butter over medium heat until vegetables soften and become translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes.
2. Introduce ground beef to the pan, breaking it into small fragments and cooking until deeply browned and caramelized, creating rich flavor layers.
3. Incorporate minced garlic, fresh thyme, and basil, stirring quickly to release aromatic herbs, then fold in tomato puree for deep, concentrated tomato essence.
4. Pour passata, beef stock, and red wine into the mixture, creating a robust sauce base that will develop complex flavors during slow cooking.
5. Reduce heat to low and allow sauce to gently simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and ensure deep flavor development.
6. During final 30 minutes of sauce simmering, prepare spaghetti in salted boiling water until perfectly al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
7. Drain pasta thoroughly and fold into the rich bolognese sauce, ensuring each strand is generously coated with the meaty, aromatic sauce.
8. Plate the spaghetti bolognese and garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese and torn basil leaves for a classic Italian presentation.

Notes

• Select ground beef with around 20% fat for richer, more flavorful sauce that stays moist during long cooking.
• Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and balanced texture throughout the sauce.
• For deeper umami flavor, consider adding small amounts of pancetta or beef bouillon cube while sautéing meat.
• Make sauce ahead and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to develop and intensify, creating a more complex bolognese.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 650 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg