Classic Spaghetti Bolognese (Italian Meat Sauce)

A rich, comforting Italian meat sauce simmered for 40 minutes with fresh tomatoes, aromatic vegetables, and a savory blend of beef and pork. Served over al dente spaghetti.

Ingredients

• 500 g whole fresh tomatoes
• 1 carrot
• 1 stalk celery
• 1 onion
• 250 g minced beef
• 250 g minced pork
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper
• to serve dry spaghetti
• as needed water

Instructions

1. 1Blanch the tomatoes

   

   Place the whole tomatoes in a glass bowl and pour boiling water over them. This helps to loosen the skins, making them easier to peel before dicing.

   Tip: Leave the tomatoes in the hot water for a minute or two before peeling to ensure the skin slips off easily.
2. 2Prepare the carrots

   

   Take the peeled carrots and slice them into uniform chunks on a cutting board. These will be finely diced later along with the other aromatics.

   Tip: Keeping the carrot chunks relatively even ensures they cook at the same rate when sautéed.
3. 3Dice the tomatoes

   

   Once the tomatoes have been peeled, dice them into small, even chunks on your cutting board. These will form the flavorful base of your meat sauce.

   Tip: A sharp knife makes dicing tomatoes much easier without squashing the delicate flesh.
4. 4Add meat to pan

   

   Heat a little oil in a frying pan and add the mixed minced beef and pork. Stir-fry the mixture until the meat is fully browned and cooked through.

   Tip: Using a blend of beef and pork prevents the sauce from becoming too dry and adds depth of flavor.
5. 5Cook the minced meat

   

   Continue to stir-fry the minced meat in the pan, breaking up any large clumps with your spatula. Cook until the meat is browned and properly seared, then set it aside.

   Tip: Cooking the meat until nicely browned develops essential savory flavors before adding the vegetables.
6. 6Sauté the aromatics

   

   In the same pan used for the meat, add the finely diced onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté over medium heat for two to three minutes until the vegetables have softened and become fragrant.

   Tip: Sautéing the vegetables in the residual meat juices adds extra flavor to the base of your sauce.
7. 7Combine meat and vegetables

   

   Add the browned minced meat back into the pan with the softened vegetables and stir them together until well incorporated.

   Tip: Ensure the vegetables and meat are mixed evenly to allow flavors to meld.
8. 8Add diced tomatoes

   

   Incorporate the freshly diced tomatoes into the pan containing the meat and vegetable mixture.

   Tip: Peeling the tomatoes before dicing ensures a smoother texture in the final sauce.
9. 9Add tomato paste

   

   Squeeze the concentrated tomato paste directly from the tube into the pan to enhance the color and depth of flavor.

   Tip: Tomato paste adds a rich umami base that intensifies the sauce as it stews.
10. 10Add water and season

    

    Pour enough clear water into the pan to completely submerge all the ingredients. Season with salt, black pepper, and a sprig of rosemary if desired.

    Tip: Using a proper amount of water ensures the sauce reduces to the perfect consistency during the 40-minute simmer.
11. 11Add herbs

    

    Add a fresh sprig of rosemary to the simmering sauce to infuse it with aromatic herbal notes during the stewing process.

    Tip: Rosemary adds a woody, fragrant undertone that complements the Italian-style meat sauce.
12. 12Stew and stir

    

    Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat and stew for 40 minutes. Stir occasionally with a spatula to ensure the sauce thickens evenly without sticking.

    Tip: Stirring periodically is key to achieving the perfect, thick consistency for your sauce.
13. 13Assemble the spaghetti

    

    Place a serving of cooked spaghetti into a pan or bowl. Ladle a generous portion of the prepared meat sauce over the top, ensuring it covers the noodles well for a rich, flavorful meal.

    Tip: For the best presentation, swirl the noodles into a neat nest before adding the sauce on top.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions