This Easy Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe is packed with rich flavor and comes together in 30 minutes! Plus, it’s kid-friendly and perfect for families!
Ok, it’s pasta time. I am so excited to share this recipe with you because WHO DOESN’T LOVE PASTA?! I love pasta in all its forms, but especially when it’s smothered with bolognese. This recipe is rich and satisfying. Plus, it comes together in 30 short minutes!
In this recipe, I use my salt-free Italian spice blend from my spice company – The Spice Girl Kitchen. I’m completely biased because it is, after all, my spice recipe and the best salt-free Italian seasoning on the market. But feel free to use whatever Italian spice you have on hand!
In this post, you will learn all about bolognese, cooking with wine, serving information, storage & reheating information. Plus, get the best Easy Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe!
This post is all about Easy Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe.
All About Bolognese
Bolognese (aka Ragu alla Bolognese) is a rich, flavorful Italian meat-based sauce. The recipe originated in the city of Bologna – hence the name Bolognese!
Traditional bolognese is commonly made with a beef/pork combo (usually pancetta), mirepoix (onions, celery, & carrots), canned tomatoes, wine, stock, seasonings, and milk. It’s also traditionally simmered on low heat for 2-3 hours. If you have the time to let it sit that long, I highly recommend it as a low & slow method yields the classic rich flavor.
In today’s recipe, I didn’t use any milk and only simmered it for about 20 minutes. It still turned out incredibly delicious and satisfying. So for busy nights, busy families, or busy people – this method is a lot more practical!
Cooking with Wine
What’s the purpose?
Cooking with wine adds depth, flavor, and complexity to any dish. It adds a rich taste and enhances the overall flavor of the dish. The acidity of the wine can help tenderize meat, deglaze a pan, and make your dish smell complex and professional.
What wine do I use?
When it comes to white wine, I recommend using a dry wine (like chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, or pinot grigio) over a sweet wine (like port or sherry). White wine works well in seafood & poultry dishes and cream-based sauces.
Generally speaking, you want to use a wine you would enjoy drinking. For this reason, avoid using “cooking wine” as it is of lower quality and not as tasty as some of the options mentioned earlier.
For today’s recipe, we are using red wine since red wine is commonly used for hearty and robust dishes. I would consider Bolognese to be a hearty and robust dish since it is meat-heavy and tomato-based. When looking for red wine, opt for cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir, or chianti! Generally speaking, red wine works well with stews, braises, and red sauces.
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Nutrition Breakdown
The Basics
Here is the basic nutrition for this recipe as it stands (not including parmesan garnish):
- 628 calories
- 24.4 grams of fat per serving
- 57 grams of carbs per serving
- 5.5 grams of fiber per serving
- 39.4 grams of protein per serving
How can I increase the fiber/micronutrients without sacrificing flavor?
My first suggestion is to swap the spaghetti for either spaghetti squash or chickpea pasta. Both options will increase fiber! Another way to increase fiber is by adding more veggies to the sauce (like mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini) or serving it with a side salad.
How can I decrease calories/carbs without sacrificing flavor?
In this recipe, I use very lean beef (93/7) and mix it with higher-fat ground pork (80/20). This keeps the fat a little lower and helps with keeping calories on the lower end (since fat has the most calories per gram). I think it still gives it a rich flavor but has far less fat than most bolognese recipes (which typically use higher-fat minced meats).
Another way to decrease calories/carbs is by (again) using spaghetti squash in place of real spaghetti. Spaghetti squash is only about 42 calories & 10 carbs per cup compared to 1 cup of regular spaghetti which packs 220 calories and 43 carbs per cup. So, this one swap slashed calories and carbs while increasing fiber and micronutrients. (Keep in mind, this is all based on your current goals and how this meal will fit into the big picture of your day!).
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Simply swap the pasta for any gluten-free alternative (spaghetti squash, chickpea pasta, gluten-free pasta, brown rice pasta, etc.). The sauce is naturally gluten-free!
Serving Information
This recipe could easily be served alone. It has a balance of protein, fat, & fiber. You could even swap the pasta for chickpea pasta or spaghetti squash for a higher-fiber meal. If you are looking to add to the meal, I recommend serving it with:
- a salad
- garlic bread
- a charcuterie board
- gelato for dessert!
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Store & Reheat
As a general rule of thumb, anything with a sauce tends to store and reheat well. That’s another reason I love this recipe!
Store
Fridge: Transfer the dish to a large glass storage container with an airtight lid. Allow it to cool to room temperature before securing the lid (about 30-45 minutes; the exact time depends on the amount of stew). Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer: You can also freeze the stew for up to 3 months. Place the Bolognese in the fridge to thaw overnight for best results.
Reheat
Microwave: Place Bolognese in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and microwave on high for 1-3 minutes or until heated through. If reheating larger amounts, stir halfway through to warm it evenly.*
Stovetop: Place Bolognese in a pot over medium-high heat. Once the sauce is simmering, reduce to medium-low and cover for 5-7 minutes or until heated through. Stir occasionally.*
Oven: Not recommended.
* Total time depends on the amount you are reheating.
Easy Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 2 large carrots, peeled and finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 lb ground pork (I used 80/20)
- 1 lb ground beef (I used 93/7)
- 1/2 cup dry red wine
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp The Spice Girl Kitchen Italian Spice
- 12 oz spaghetti, dry
- green onion, for serving
- freshly shaved parmesan, for serving
- fresh cracked pepper, for serving
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add onions, celery, and carrots. Saute for 5 minutes or until veggies have softened.
- Add in the garlic and saute 1 additional minute.
- Add in the butter, ground pork, and ground beef. Break up the meat with a wooden spatula as it cooks. Cook until the meat is browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add in the wine, then deglaze the pan by scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a boil, and let it cook uncovered for about 3 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by about half.
- Add in the beef broth, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and Italian spice. Stir well to combine. Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to a simmer. Let simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes. The sauce will thicken up.
- While sauce cooks, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain. Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Divide the pasta between 6 bowls, top with sauce (divide the sauce evenly between bowls), garnish with green onion, freshly grated parmesan, and fresh cracked pepper. Enjoy!
Notes
Store & Reheat
As a general rule of thumb, anything with a sauce tends to store and reheat well. That’s another reason I love this recipe!Store
Fridge: Transfer the dish to a large glass storage container with an airtight lid. Allow it to cool to room temperature before securing the lid (about 30-45 minutes; the exact time depends on the amount of stew). Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freezer: You can also freeze the stew for up to 3 months. Place the bolognese in the fridge to thaw overnight for best results.Reheat
Microwave: Place bolognese in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and microwave on high for 1-3 minutes or until heated through. If reheating larger amounts, stir halfway through to warm it evenly.* Stovetop: Place bolognese in a pot over medium-high heat. Once the sauce is simmering, reduce to medium-low and cover for 5-7 minutes or until heated through. Stir occasionally.* Oven: Not recommended. * Total time depends on the amount you are reheating.This post was all about Easy Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe.
Did you make this recipe? Make sure to tag me @thespicegirlkitchen_ on Instagram or @thespicegirlkitchen on TikTok! I love seeing your recreations! I will be your ultimate hype woman!
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