This fast-track recipe for Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese makes a meat sauce that’s bursting with Italian flavor and cooks in just 30 minutes!
Serve this easy meal with a warm loaf of Garlic Bread for the perfect Italian meal everyone will love!
Speedy Spaghetti Bolognese
What’s your favorite pasta dish? That’s a difficult question, right? There are so many great ones! I could never pick just one, but this recipe is definitely one of my favorites.
Not only is this Spaghetti with Bolognese incredibly delicious, but it’s easy to make as well! Whether you’re new to cooking or have advanced skills, this simple version of an Italian classic can be home-cooked from scratch and enjoyed by the whole family.
Why This Recipe Works
- Cooking with fresh aromatics like garlic and onion adds big flavor, which is key to quick and easy recipes.
- Using a combination of fresh and dried herbs gives it a boost in flavor.
- Seasoning the sauce well with salt and pepper makes all the difference in shortening cooking time; it brings out the flavors of all the ingredients.
What Is Spaghetti Bolognese
Bolognese sauce is an Italian dish made up of a meat-based tomato sauce served with spaghetti.
Best Ingredients For Bolognese Sauce
- Whole Plum Tomatoes are best because they are picked and canned at perfect ripeness.
- Ground Beef Ground beef that’s 80 – 85% lean ground beef needs some fat to give flavor and keep it tender and moist.
Maintaining Moisture In Ground Beef
Adding baking soda to the ground beef maintains moisture by stopping the proteins from binding too fast (which dries out the meat).
To do this, mix a ¼ teaspoon of baking soda with a tablespoon of water. Combine well and then mix it into the meat before cooking.
Flavoring A Quick Bolognese Sauce
When you change a long cook dish to a quick and easy recipe, the best way to add flavor is to season well. So many people are afraid of salt, but you can learn to use it well.
The key to seasoning is to taste your food. Start with a little salt in the beginning and allow the food to cook before tasting for seasoning.
The reason you should wait is that as the food cooks down, the liquid evaporates, but the salt remains. Taste at the end and season to taste (adding a little at a time). Seasoning should be done well so no salt will be added at the table.
Stovetop Instructions
You can find the full, printable recipe at the bottom of this post, complete with slow cooker instructions (click the button above), but you can read detailed instructions with step-by-step instructions and photos below.
Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until lightly golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and fry for another minute.
Add the ground beef
Fry until fully cooked and no pink shows at all in the meat. Then add the tomato paste and mix it with the meat. Add the oregano.
Brown the meat well. This adds a ton of flavor!
Add the tomatoes, parsley, and season with salt and pepper.
Simmer for 15 minutes. Serve with freshly cooked spaghetti, and enjoy every last bite!
This dish is a real crowd-pleaser and is loved by adults and kids alike!
Freezing and Making Ahead
- To freeze Bolognese sauce, store in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to four months (once defrosted, it cannot be frozen again).
- This Bolognese Sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container for two days.
For Best Results
- When cooking the Spaghetti, salt like you mean it. This is the only chance you get to add flavor to your spaghetti.
- Seasoning the meat with salt and pepper adds an extra kick of flavor which is key to speeding up the cooking time of this sauce.
- Make this sauce your own by adding whatever fresh or dried herbs of your choice or even some red wine which can be added and cooked down before adding the tomatoes.
- When adding the dried oregano, try rubbing it between your palms to release maximum flavor.
- Use good quality tomatoes when shopping for ingredients – don’t skimp, the better quality the tomatoes, the better the sauce will be.
- If you have the time, simmering the sauce for longer will add a deeper flavor.
- For extra depth of flavor, add a half cup of the wine of your choice before adding the tomatoes.
- To fix bitter sauce, add 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda or a 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to the sauce at a time (tasting between additions) until the acidity dissipates.
FAQs
Typically, spaghetti sauce is a meatless tomato sauce, while bolognese sauce is a meat based sauce made with ground beef.
Cook it until the sauce reduces and thickens on its own. This not only thickens the sauce but adds a ton of flavor.
Bolognese Sauce should simmer with the lid off to allow it to reduce, deepen in flavor and thicken.
Did you make this?
Stay Updated
Receive new recipes & dinner ideas straight to your inbox!
Let’s Make Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste (UK tomato puree)
- 1 good sized handful fresh parsley chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ pound spaghetti
- Grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese for serving optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until lightly golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and fry another minute.
- Add the ground beef; fry until fully cooked and no pink shows at all in the meat (about 8 minutes). Add the oregano and tomato paste and mix with the meat.
- Add the tomatoes, parsley, and bring to a boil. Season with the salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to low, and cook for at least 15 minutes (you can cook longer for a deeper flavor).
- Reduce the heat to low, and cook for at least 15 minutes (you can cook longer for a deeper flavor).
- In the meantime, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions. Drain and serve topped with the sauce and cheese (if using).
To Finish The Pasta In The Sauce
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until it is just shy of al dente. Reserve a mugful of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Add the drained pasta to the Bolognese sauce over medium heat, along with about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Gently toss for approximately 2 minutes or until the spaghetti reaches your desired doneness and is well coated with sauce. Add more pasta water as needed to loosen.
Slow Cooker Method
- Follow the instructions for the stovetop method through step 3. Transfer the sauce to a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours. Cooking longer on low heat will allow the flavors to meld together more deeply.
Tips + Notes
- Seasoning the meat with salt and pepper adds an extra kick of flavor which is key to speeding up the cooking time of this sauce.
- Make this sauce your own by adding whatever fresh or dried herbs of your choice or even some red wine which can be added and cooked down before adding the tomatoes.
- When adding the dried oregano, try rubbing it between your palms to release maximum flavor.
- Use good quality tomatoes when shopping for ingredients – don’t skimp, the better quality the tomatoes, the better the sauce will be.
- If you have the time, simmering the sauce for longer will add a deeper flavor.
- For extra depth of flavor, add a half cup of the wine of your choice before adding the tomatoes
- To fix bitter sauce, add 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda or a 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to the sauce at a time (tasting between additions) until the acidity dissipates.
Nutrition Information:
Update Notes: This post was originally published on Feb 2, 2015, but was republished with step by step instructions, new photos, tips, FAQs and a video in August of 2018.
Chris Traynor says
With the exception of the suggested wine, I made this sauce exactly as the recipe called for (it was a birthday dinner for my lovely wife). I used a medium rigatoni. Everyone loved it! Terrific recipe. Thanks so much!
Erren's Kitchen says
That’s wonderful, I’m glad your meal was a success, thank you for the lovely comment 🙂
Amanda doran says
I did love this recipe never go back to the jar thanku and look forward to may more my family loved it
Erren's Kitchen says
Thank you Amanda, I’m pleased you like the recipe and won’t be using jarred sauce again 🙂
Lee Arthur says
I’ve never cooked in my life but during the pandemic lockdown I saw Erren’s recipe for spaghetti bolognese which looked really tasty, so decided to give it a try. Nervously, I followed her directions until the last ingredient, even giving it an extra ten minutes or so to add depth to the flavour. Boy, what a wonderful dish! My wife was thrilled and we both enjoyed it so much.
Of course it was great buzz to be complimented by her as well.
I’ve made the dish several times now and each time only seems to get better. Erren’s recipe has certainly kick-started my journey into cooking plus I’ve discovered a new room in our home – our kitchen! So much so I have found further recipes opening up a whole new and exciting passion.Thank you so much Erren, it’s healthy eating from now on and no more fast food for us! Regards, Lee.
Erren's Kitchen says
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, this is exactly the kind of thing I like to hear. I hope you continue to wow your wife with your cooking 🙂
Rhonny stow says
Made this for lunch and it was delicious 👌
Erren's Kitchen says
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Kat says
I love how easy and delicious this recipe is! I added some more spices but omitted the fresh parsley, and used pork because my little one is allergic to beef. Simmered for as long as I had time and threw in Parmesan at the end. Super tasty and I swear that leftovers even get tastier. Thank you!!
Erren's Kitchen says
That sounds lovely Kat, glad it worked out!
ChefGaby says
It came out really yummy! I found myself having to add a bit more spices for more flavor BUT needless to say, the recipe is great. I am a busy college student who likes to cook to de-stress but sometimes time isn’t on my side. Its a great recipe to play around with and make your own. Thank you for this!
Erren's Kitchen says
I’m glad you made it work out for you Gaby!
Maree Kennedy says
Amazing!
Erren's Kitchen says
Thank you!
Ingrid says
Added fresh thyme & rosemary, some red wine, used while tomatoes instead of crushed, and lots of Parmesan at the end with some extra parsley on top. So, so delicious. Absolutely loved this recipe and will be making it many more times.
Erren's Kitchen says
I’m glad you thought so Ingrid!
Olylizz says
Is the red wine alcoholic
Erren's Kitchen says
Hi, yes it is, however when you cook with red wine the alcohol vaporizes so it is not alcoholic when the dish is cooked. It gives the sauce a rich flavor. The dish is equally tasty without it if you don’t want to use it. I hope this helps 🙂
Clarry says
Hi.
So, I feel that the best way to describe this dish is as the perfect template. It’s good if you follow the recipe to the t, however, only good. There are so many ways to make this dish great! This is a brilliant recipe because regardless of what you may add, it simply works.
I found that adding some red wine, cayenne pepper, jalapenos, fresh tomatoes and an assortment of spices really made this dish pop.
Thank you for sharing this sliver of your mind with the world! I hope that more recipes would allow space for the imagination, much like this one.
– Clarry
Erren's Kitchen says
Clarry thank you so much for your awesome feedback, adding them extras does sound delicious, I’ll have to try that out!
A says
Mine turned out a little bland in a taste more like water kinda bland. I used exactly everything in recipe and followed directions exact. I even let simmer for almost 2 hours before serving and still, not robust enough. I dunno what I did :(. I’ll try again another day I guess until I get it right
Erren's Kitchen says
Sorry, it didn’t work out for you. It is so hard for me to say where it went wrong or how I can help as I wasn’t there whilst you were making it. I do recommend trying it again though maybe you will see where it went wrong!
Maryanne Illes says
I add Italian Dressing for flavor 🤗