Rich Homemade Spaghetti Bolognese (Tomato Meat Sauce)

Elevate your family dinner with this deeply comforting spaghetti bolognese. Slowly simmered with a blend of beef and pork, fresh vegetables, and tomatoes, this rich meat sauce tastes better than any restaurant.

Ingredients

• 1 medium red onion, diced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 250 g minced beef
• 250 g minced pork
• 2 large fresh tomatoes, chopped
• 1 can tomato paste (approx. 150g)
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 2 cans water (measured using the empty tomato paste can)
• to taste salt
• 1 tbsp butter
• 400 g dried spaghetti

Instructions

1. 1Sauté the onions

   

   Heat oil in a wok and add the diced red onions. Stir-fry them first to release their aromatic oils and sweet flavor into the base.

   Tip: Red onions provide a subtle sweetness, but white or yellow onions work perfectly too.
2. 2Add carrots and celery

   

   Once the onions are fragrant, toss in the diced carrots and celery. Stir-fry the mixture thoroughly so the vegetables slowly soften and begin to build a rich flavor foundation.

   Tip: Sweating the vegetables slowly over medium heat prevents them from burning and ensures their sweetness permeates the sauce.
3. 3Mix in the garlic

   

   Introduce the minced garlic to the softened vegetables in the wok. Stir everything quickly to allow the garlics pungent aroma to infuse the mixture without burning.

   Tip: Dicing the vegetables into uniform, small pieces ensures they cook evenly and blend perfectly into the sauce.
4. 4Sweat the aromatics

   

   Continue to gently stir-fry the colorful mixture of diced onions, celery, carrots, and garlic. Sweating these aromatics properly ensures they release their natural juices and sweetness into the sauce.

   Tip: Adding garlic slightly after the harder vegetables prevents it from browning too quickly and turning bitter.
5. 5Brown the minced meat

   

   Introduce the raw minced beef to the vegetable base. Use a spatula to break up the meat and stir-fry it until it loses its raw color and begins to brown.

   Tip: Combining both beef and pork yields a richer fat content and more complex flavor for the meat sauce.
6. 6Incorporate the minced pork

   

   Following the beef, add the raw minced pork to the wok. Combining both beef and pork adds a much richer fat content and a more complex, satisfying flavor to the final meat sauce.

   Tip: Break the meat apart immediately with your spatula to ensure it cooks evenly and doesnt clump together.
7. 7Brown the meat mixture

   

   Toss and stir-fry the minced meat and vegetable mixture continuously for about 10 minutes. Continue cooking until the color of the meat deepens and browns completely, allowing the fats to render and coat the vegetables.

   Tip: Allowing the meat to brown deeply is crucial for developing the savory, umami notes of the sauce.
8. 8Incorporate tomatoes and paste

   

   Add the fresh tomato chunks along with a full can of tomato paste to the browned meat mixture. Stirring in the concentrated tomato paste will significantly enrich the color and deepen the overall tomato flavor of the sauce.

   Tip: Stir-fry the tomato paste for a minute or two before adding liquids; cooking it slightly removes any tinny, raw flavor.
9. 9Season with black pepper

   

   Add a large spoonful of black pepper to the wok and stir it evenly into the meat and tomato mixture. This will add a pleasant, warm spice that balances the sweet and acidic notes of the tomatoes.

   Tip: If possible, use freshly cracked black pepper for a more vibrant aroma and sharper flavor.
10. 10Add water and simmer

    

    Fill the empty tomato paste can with water and pour two cans worth into the wok. Stir the mixture well, then turn the heat down to low to let the sauce simmer gently for 40 to 60 minutes.

    Tip: Using the empty can to measure the water is a clever way to rinse out and utilize every last bit of the flavor-packed tomato paste.
11. 11Cover and simmer

    

    Turn the heat down to low and place a metal lid securely on the pot. Allow the meat sauce to simmer gently, letting all the flavors meld together. You can simmer it for about 40 minutes to an hour, depending on the quantity you are cooking.

    Tip: Be sure to uncover and stir the sauce frequently while it simmers to prevent the ingredients from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
12. 12Simmer the meat sauce

    

    Allow the rich tomato meat sauce to simmer gently over low heat until it reaches a thick and sticky consistency. This slow reduction concentrates the sweet and sour flavors and tenderizes the meat.

    Tip: Remember to stir the sauce frequently during the simmering process to prevent the bottom from catching and burning.
13. 13Season with salt

    

    Once the sauce has reduced and thickened to your liking, season it with an appropriate amount of salt to taste. Gently stir the salt into the bubbling mixture to ensure it is evenly distributed.

    Tip: Always taste the sauce before adding salt, as the reduction process naturally concentrates the flavors and sodium.
14. 14Finish with Butter

    

    Once the meat sauce has simmered for an hour and reduced to a thick, sticky consistency, drop in a pat of butter just before taking the pan off the heat. Stir gently until the butter is completely melted and evenly incorporated into the hot sauce.

    Tip: Adding butter at the very end of cooking adds a beautiful glossy sheen to the sauce and provides a rich, velvety mouthfeel that balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
15. 15Incorporate the butter

    

    Stir the sauce continuously to fully melt and incorporate the piece of butter. This final addition of butter enhances the overall richness of the sauce and gives it a beautiful, glossy finish.

    Tip: Adding cold butter at the very end of cooking is a classic technique to emulsify the sauce and balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
16. 16Serve over spaghetti

    

    Spoon the hot, flavorful meat sauce generously over a prepared plate of cooked spaghetti. The rich, meaty tomato sauce perfectly coats the noodles, making for a comforting family meal.

    Tip: For an even better flavor experience, you can toss the cooked pasta directly into the pan with the sauce for a minute before serving.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions