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.
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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.
Lyn Clark says
This recipe is lacking in a flavour it needs to boost the herbs and spice. The website is very messy, the content is disorganised, and all in all this is a very poor recipe navigation and usage experience.
Erren's Kitchen says
Lyn, I am sorry you had an unpleasant experience. If you feel that the flavor of the Spaghetti Bolognese could be enhanced, here are a few suggestions:
Herbs and Spices: You can experiment with additional herbs and spices to elevate the flavor. Consider adding basil, thyme, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat. Adjusting the quantity of oregano or introducing other herbs can also add complexity to the sauce.
Seasoning: Ensure that you season the dish adequately with salt and pepper. Proper seasoning can significantly impact the overall taste of the dish.
Red Wine: As mentioned in the notes, adding a half cup of red wine before adding the tomatoes can contribute depth of flavor to the sauce.
Quality Ingredients: As noted in the recipe, using good quality tomatoes is crucial. High-quality ingredients can make a significant difference in the final taste.
Also, if you click on the “recipe” button at the top of each recipe, it will bring you right down to the recipe card. You can even click on the “print” button at the top of the recipe to open a new screen with just the recipe on it. We hope that helps and you give the recipe another try.
Shaheen says
I recently tried the Spaghetti Bolognese recipe, and it exceeded all expectations! The flavors were rich and perfectly balanced, creating a deliciously authentic Italian experience at home.
Erren Hart says
I’m absolutely delighted to hear that the Spaghetti Bolognese recipe exceeded your expectations! Getting the balance of rich flavors just right is key in a dish like this, and it sounds like you nailed it. It’s great to know that you had such a positive and delicious experience with the recipe. Thanks for sharing your feedback. Keep enjoying your cooking journey and exploring new flavors!
Carolynn says
This was super easy, flexible, and oh so tasty! Thank you for posting. I’ll be saving this one and making it again. I also appreciated all the tips and notes.
Erren's Kitchen says
Carolynn, thank you so much for the wonderful feedback! We are so happy that you not only enjoyed the recipe, but that you also found our tips helpful! We hope you try more recipes in the future! ❤️
Esther Ting says
This was easy to make and the ingredients, I had readily available. It helps that there’s not too many ingredients needed too!
I added red kidney beans and mushrooms, so I had to add tomato paste for the sauce. My husband and I loved it. Almost always wanting seconds, haha.
Erren Hart says
I’m glad to hear that you found the recipe easy to make and that you and your husband enjoyed it! Your additions of red kidney beans and mushrooms sound like a great twist to the original recipe. It’s wonderful that you were able to adapt the dish with ingredients you had on hand. Thank you for sharing your positive experience, and here’s to many more delicious meals ahead!
John doe says
where is the ingredients list :[
Erren Hart says
It’s in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. For future reference, there is a button at the top of every post (with a pink outline in the blue box at the top labeled ‘recipe’) that will take you directly to the recipe.
Paul dumon says
I loved this recipe,so straightforward.
Erren Hart says
Thank you for the feedback! I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe and found it easy to follow. Let me know if you try any of my other recipes.
Ana A. says
Loved making this recipe I added some carrots w the onions for extra veggies and it was a hit w the family.
Erren Hart says
Thank you for trying the Spaghetti Bolognese recipe and for sharing your feedback! I’m so happy to hear that you loved making the recipe and that adding carrots along with the onions was a hit with your family. Adding extra veggies is a great way to add more nutrients and flavor to the dish. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and for trying out the recipe. I hope you continue to enjoy my recipes in the future!
Derek says
So simple and easy.. My Spahetti and the sauce came out beautiful… Sadly, I can’t attach a photo… delicious and sumptuous.
Erren Hart says
That’s wonderful to hear! Thank you for your delightful feedback.
Joanna says
I love to prepare this for my friends at
gatherings, they LOVE IT!! 💞 Garlic bread too💞
Erren Hart says
Thank you so much, Joanna! It’s wonderful to hear that your friends enjoy the spaghetti Bolognese, and we agree that garlic bread is the perfect complement to the dish. Happy cooking and entertaining!
Derek Robertson says
Ok so I’m new to your recipes and just made the bolognese for a date! Pretty sure I should have been a chef! 😂
Erren Hart says
Sometimes we miss our calling, Derek. 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for the smile!
Richard ‘Ardeet’ Thompson says
This is my go to bolognese recipe. I also add a can of lentils, extra tomato paste and some veggies like cauliflower. I also do it in the slow cooker.
The baking soda tip makes a difference.
I’ve cooked this literally dozens of times. I make a double batch in the slow cooker, leave it on low overnight and then the next morning portion it out for ready to go meals in the freezer for us.
Btw, the defrosting is really simple. I put the frozen chunk on low heat on the hot plates with some water in the saucepan and a two person serve defrosts within 10-15 mins.
It’s essential to add the extra water as it stops the frozen bolognese burning and it kick starts the defrosting process.
Solid recipe Erren, thank you.
Erren Hart says
Thank you for trying out my recipe and for leaving such a great review and feedback! I’m so glad you enjoy it so much and that you find the content useful! If there’s I can do to improve your experience with Erren’s Kitchen, please don’t hesitate to let me know!