Simple Spaghetti Bolognese

A classic spaghetti bolognese made simple and done properly. Rich, slow-cooked meat sauce paired perfectly with red wine.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 15

Ingredients

500 grams beef mince
1 each onion, finely diced
2 each cloves
1 each carrot, finely diced
1 each celery stick, finely diced
400 grams canned tomatoes
250 ml passata
2 tbsp olive oil
salt & pepper
400 grams spaghetti

Instructions

for the sauce

Heat olive oil in a pan and gently cook onion, carrot and celery until soft.
Add garlic and cook briefly.
Add beef mince and brown well.
Stir in tomato passata and cook for 1–2 minutes.
Add canned tomatoes and simmer for 30–45 minutes. (minimum simmer for 45 minutes but simmer for as long as you can).
Season with salt and pepper.

for the pasta

Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water.

to serve

Combine pasta with sauce and serve with grated parmesan cheese.

What Wine Goes With Spaghetti Bolognese?

Rich, slow-cooked meat sauce needs a wine that can match its depth.
Best Matches:
Sangiovese (Chianti) → classic Italian pairing
Barbera → high acidity cuts richness
Shiraz → bold and full-bodied
👉 Match weight + balance acidity.

Notes (kooks Tips)

Don’t rush the simmer—flavour builds over time (minimum simmer for 45 minutes but simmer for as long as you can).

Season at the end, not the start

A splash of pasta water helps bring it together

KOOK’S SECRETS

Nutrition

Calories: 810kcalCarbohydrates: 88gProtein: 37gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 242mgPotassium: 1149mgFiber: 7gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 553IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 93mgIron: 6mg

Keyword comfort food, hearty, homemade, slow-cooked

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!