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Flavorful Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe with Parmesan Tips

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This spaghetti Bolognese recipe is a love letter to simple, hearty Italian cooking, featuring a rich meat sauce, al dente pasta, and fresh Parmesan and basil.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium carrot, grated or finely chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 1 can (14oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • Salt for boiling water
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Start by prepping all your ingredients. Chop the onion, celery, and garlic. Grate the carrot and set everything aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break it into small crumbles as it cooks. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned, about 7 minutes.
  4. Pour in the red wine and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced. If you’re not using wine, substitute with beef broth or skip this step.
  5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, thyme, and nutmeg. Lower the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer gently for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  7. When the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded, taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
  8. If the sauce seems too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up. Toss the cooked spaghetti with the sauce until well-coated.
  9. Serve immediately, topped with fresh basil leaves and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

[‘Simmer the sauce low and slow to develop deep flavors.’, ‘Grate Parmesan fresh for better flavor.’, ‘Salt your pasta water for enhanced taste.’, ‘If the sauce is too acidic, add a pinch of sugar or a splash of cream.’, ‘Adding nutmeg and wine (or broth) brings complexity to the sauce.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: spaghetti bolognese, Italian pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/flavorful-spaghetti-bolognese-recipe-with-parmesan-tips/