Best Spaghetti Bolognese

Best Spaghetti Bolognese

Classic Italian Spaghetti and Meat Sauce Recipe

Updated April 14, 2025
Prep Time: 10m
Cook Time: 1h 25m
Total Time: 1h 35m
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Easy
4.9 (44 Reviews)
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Ingredients

Adjust servings:

Nutritional Information

858
calories
41,6g
fat
14,5g
saturated fat
74,7g
carbohydrates
42,9g
protein
7g
fiber
Best Spaghetti Bolognese

Recipe Description

If you search for spaghetti Bolognese online, you will see that everyone seems to have the best recipe for it. Since this dish is so popular, so many people have made changes that it became hard to find the original version. But there is no need to worry: here, we are going to give it a try.

This dish is made of two grand parts. One is pasta, not necessarily spaghetti; you can choose a different type, but we recommend you make sure it is sturdy enough to be paired with a strong sauce. The other part, which is the Bolognese sauce, is where magic truly happens in this dish.

To use the full potential of spaghetti Bolognese, you would have to slow-cook the ground beef. It needs time to absorb water and the aroma of the other ingredients while the sauce thickens. However, you can make a very good version of it even if you only have around an hour to cook.

What makes Italian Spaghetti Bolognese so good?

When you go all the way with the preparation, your sauce gets pancetta, garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, red pepper, and even red wine. All those ingredients lend an aroma that makes it just irresistible. Pair that to a well-prepared ground beef and you have wonderful flavor and texture.

The interesting part, however, is that making it with less time does not necessarily make it bad. You will still get a wonderful spaghetti recipe, only simpler. This way, it is still manageable for a weeknight when you are tired after work. This is what makes this dish so popular with everyone.

Once you get used to the preparation of this Italian Spaghetti dish, you will notice that you will start thinking of your own ideas to customize the sauce. Therefore, there is a chance that you will end up a part of the “I have the best recipe” club. This Bolognese pasta recipe accepts a few customizations very well.

Tips for the Best Bolognese

  • You can prepare the sauce up to two days in advance and refrigerate it using an airtight container. If you freeze it, you will have to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. Either way, rewarm it with a covered pot. Add to the cooked spaghetti and Parmesan before serving.
  • Adding a little baking soda to the ground beef changes its pH, which helps it retain more moisture when cooked. This is useful to make the meat more tender and its outside part more brown. Both are desirable qualities to make your dish look and taste even better.
  • If you have more time and energy, you can chop carrots and celery to add to the sauce. They go very well with the aromatic ingredients and make the sauce even more filling.
  • Letting the sauce simmer for a long time will always be the best way to give it wonderful flavor. However, you can work around it by adding beef bouillon from the grocery store.
  • Adding cream of half-and-half is a great way to make the sauce tender and, even more importantly, balance tomato acidity. Just avoid excess, otherwise you will make it bland.

To make Best Homemade Spaghetti Bolognese, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for Best Spaghetti Bolognese

Recipe Features

No specific features for this recipe

Steps to make

  1. 1

    Cook pancetta

    3 min
    Step 1 - Best Spaghetti BologneseStep 1 - Best Spaghetti Bolognese

    In a large pan with a lid, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil and add 150 g of diced pancetta and cook for a few minutes until golden.

  2. 2

    Add ground beef mince

    5 min
    Step 2 - Best Spaghetti BologneseStep 2 - Best Spaghetti Bolognese

    Add 500 g of ground beef mince and use a wooden spoon to crumble apart. Cook for a few minutes until browned.

  3. 3

    Add sausage

    5 min
    Step 3 - Best Spaghetti Bolognese

    Add 6 pork sausages in smaller pieces similar to the size of the ground beef and cook until opaque in color.

  4. 4

    Add vegetables

    10 min
    Step 4 - Best Spaghetti BologneseStep 4 - Best Spaghetti Bolognese

    Add 2 chopped onions, 4 cloves of crushed garlic, 2 finely diced celery sticks and 2 grated carrots. Cover pan and cook, on low heat, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes until vegetables are tender.

  5. 5

    Add sauce

    1h
    Step 5 - Best Spaghetti BologneseStep 5 - Best Spaghetti Bolognese

    Add 2 cans of 400 g cherry tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of tomato purée and 300 ml chicken stock. Bring everything to a simmer then cover and cook 1 hour.

  6. 6

    Add basil

    5 min
    Step 6 - Best Spaghetti Bolognese

    Add a small bunch of freshly chopped basil and cook for a final 5 minutes until aromatic.

  7. 7

    Cook pasta

    7 min
    Step 7 - Best Spaghetti BologneseStep 7 - Best Spaghetti Bolognese

    In a large pot of boiling water, cook 500g spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente.

  8. 8

    Serve

    Step 8 - Best Spaghetti Bolognese

    Toss cooked spaghetti in Bolognese sauce and sprinkle Parmesan cheese over, to serve.

Dinner is ready with the Best Spaghetti Bolognese. I promise that you won’t be disappointed with this recipe! Let us know what you think and tag #cookmerecipes online when you try our recipes!

About the author

Arturs Arnicans

Arturs Arnicans is a passionate chef, recipe developer, and culinary expert with a deep love for innovative and flavorful cooking. With over 15 years of experience in the restaurant industry, he has honed his skills in kitchens across Latvia and beyond, blending classic techniques with modern creativity. At Cook.me, Artūrs takes on a dual role—sometimes crafting his own unique recipes and other times serving as an editor, ensuring that every dish meets the highest standards of taste and quality. Whether developing new flavor combinations or fine-tuning existing recipes, his goal is always to inspire home cooks to create delicious meals with confidence. Outside of Cook.me, Artūrs is a respected name in the culinary world. As the President of Latvia’s Chef Association and a consultant for top restaurants, he continuously pushes the boundaries of modern cuisine while staying true to fresh, high-quality ingredients. From simple home-cooked dishes to gourmet creations, Artūrs believes that food should bring joy and connection to every table. His expertise, creativity, and passion shine through in every recipe he shares.

Recipe Reviews

Have you made this recipe? Share your experience and help other cooks!

★★★★★
★★★★★
4.9 out of 5 (44 reviews)
HappyMom85
February 24, 2025
Verified

This Bolognese rocked our dinner time! Kids devoured it.

Zara
September 11, 2024
Verified

Totally delicious meal. I made it for a dinner party, and everyone loved it so much. Best recipe ever.

Alessandra Rossi
August 3, 2024
Verified

I made this Spaghetti Bolognese last week for my kids and they loved it. It was so simple to prepare, perfect for a busy night after school.

Hannah
June 21, 2024
Verified

Amazing recipe! My friends loved it at dinner.

Ursula
January 14, 2024
Verified

Proper lush dinner!

Quinn
October 15, 2023
Verified

Simply delicious dish! Made this spaghetti Bolognese last night, and it brought me back to my Italian childhood! The flavors were sooo rich and comforting. Who knew cooking could be this easy? I'm officially in love with this recipe.

Pamela Johnson
October 12, 2023
Verified

Amazing! I made this for my husband and he was super impressed. The flavors are just divine. Can't wait to have it again next week!

Kevin Miller
October 11, 2023
Verified

Simply the best.

Emily Smith
October 10, 2023
Verified

Simply the best!

Yasmina
October 1, 2023
Verified

Superb recipe. I made it last Saturday while reminiscing about my childhood Sunday dinners with my family. The aroma filled my apartment, bringing such warmth and happiness. I added some fresh basil from my little balcony garden, and it turned out perfectly.

Katherine Smith
June 12, 2023
Verified

Omg, I just made this Spaghetti Bolognese and it's a total game changer! The kids loved it, and even the hubby couldn't get enough. I whipped it up in under an hour after a busy day, which is fab! Highly recommend giving it a go if ya want delish dinner without the fuss!

Tina
May 2, 2023
Verified

Loved this meal! Made it for our first dinner together, and we were so happy to share! So flavorful and easy!

Cathy
March 30, 2023
Verified

Superb

Quirky99
February 12, 2023
Verified

Superb taste, mate!

Lewis
February 3, 2023
Verified

Great recipe for a busy night.

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