Classic Spaghetti Bolognese (30 Minutes)

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Everybody loves spaghetti Bolognese and with this recipe, you can have dinner on the table in 30 minutes flat. This dish features a hearty meat sauce made with ground beef, onions, garlic, and tomatoes, served over a bed of spaghetti. It’s an instant crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for a quick homemade dinner or for feeding a hungry family.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup celery, chopped
  • 1/2 cup carrots, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for serving

Instructions

  1. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped celery, and chopped carrots and sauté until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
  5. Serve the spaghetti topped with the Bolognese sauce, and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.

Notes

If you’d like a more complex flavor, you can use a mixture of ground beef and pork. You can also add in a splash of red wine if desired. Be sure not to skimp on simmering time as that helps the dish come together for a rich and flavorful meal. Enjoy! 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 530 calories
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 597mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Carbohydrates: 64g
  • Fiber: 8g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 74mg

Pair this with...

Caesar Side Salad

Start with fresh romaine lettuce—tear it into bite-sized pieces and toss it into a bowl. Drizzle on some Caesar dressing; you can make your own with garlic, anchovies, egg yolks, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and olive oil, or use a store-bought version for convenience. Give the lettuce a good toss to ensure it's well-coated. Sprinkle on some grated Parmesan cheese for that sharp, savory punch. Top it off with croutons for that essential crunch. If you're feeling a bit fancy, a couple of anchovy fillets can be added on top. Serve immediately.

Garlic Bread

Grab a loaf of your favorite bread—baguette or ciabatta are classics. Slice it up, but not all the way through, so it fans out nicely. In a bowl, melt some butter and stir in minced garlic (as much or as little as you like), a sprinkle of salt, and maybe a touch of dried parsley for that extra flair. Generously brush or spread this garlicky goodness between the slices. Wrap the loaf in foil and pop it into a pre-heated oven. When it's golden and aromatic, pull it out and enjoy the buttery, crispy, garlicky delight.

Green Beans with Almonds

Begin by trimming the ends of your fresh green beans. Bring a pot of water to a boil, toss in the beans, and blanch them for just a few minutes until they're bright green and slightly tender. Drain them and dunk in cold water to stop the cooking process and retain their vibrant color. On the side, toast some roughly chopped almonds in a dry skillet until they're golden and fragrant. In the same skillet, add a touch of olive oil or butter, and sauté the green beans briefly to warm them up. Toss in the toasted almonds, give everything a good stir, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Hi, I'm Alaina! As a busy mom of two, I'm tired of always wondering "what's for dinner?" That's why I created this website; to share easy and tasty recipe ideas the whole family will love. If you're not subscribed yet, join 47,098 others here - thanks for stopping by!