Spaghetti Bolognese | Easy Classic Spaghetti Bolognese with Rich Beef Sauce
A classic spaghetti Bolognese is the ultimate family‑friendly comfort food, rich, hearty, and packed with slow‑cooked flavour. Perfect for anyone searching for an easy spaghetti Bolognese recipe, an authentic Italian Bolognese sauce, or a quick midweek pasta dinner, this timeless dish delivers a satisfying bowl of tender minced beef, aromatic vegetables, and a glossy tomato‑based sauce.
Serving Suggestions for Spaghetti Bolognese
- Chilli flakes or chilli oil for those who like heat
- Garlic bread — the essential pairing
- Cheesy garlic bread if you want something indulgent
- Simple green salad with a sharp vinaigrette to cut through the richness
- Rocket salad with parmesan and lemon
- Tomato & mozzarella salad for freshness
- Roasted tenderstem broccoli with olive oil and black pepper
- Green beans with garlic butter
- Roasted courgettes with thyme
- Caprese bruschetta — tomatoes, basil, olive oil on toasted bread
- Crusty baguette or ciabatta to mop up the sauce
- Parmesan‑roasted mushrooms for savoury depth
- Garlic‑roasted new potatoes if you want extra carbs
- Steamed asparagus in season
- Extra parmesan or pecorino on the side
Variations: Spaghetti Bolognese
- Classic Red Wine Bolognese — add a splash of red wine for richness and a deeper, more grown‑up sauce.
- Smoky Bolognese — stir in smoked paprika or a little chipotle paste for gentle smoky warmth.
- Mushroom Bolognese — add sautéed mushrooms for earthy umami and extra body.
- Vegetable‑Boosted Bolognese — add grated carrot or courgette for sweetness and natural thickness.
- Herby Bolognese — finish with fresh basil, parsley or oregano for brightness.
- Creamy Bolognese — swirl in a spoon of crème fraîche or mascarpone for a velvety finish.
- Chilli Bolognese — add chilli flakes or fresh chilli for a spicy twist.
- Bolognese with Pancetta — fry pancetta first and build the sauce in the rendered fat for savoury depth.
- Tomato‑Rich Bolognese — increase tomato purée or add chopped sun‑dried tomatoes for intensity.
- Bolognese with Spinach — stir fresh spinach into the sauce for colour and nutrients.
- Bolognese with Peppers — add chopped red or yellow peppers for sweetness and colour.
- Bolognese with Sausage & Beef — mix Italian sausage with the beef for a more robust, flavour‑packed sauce.
- Bolognese with Red Pepper Pesto — swirl in red pesto for a sweet, smoky Mediterranean twist.
- Bolognese with Lentils — add red or green lentils for extra body and a budget‑friendly boost.
- Bolognese with Caramelised Onion — add slow‑cooked onions for deeper sweetness and richness
Spaghetti bolognese
A classic spaghetti bolognese with rich beef sauce, tomatoes and herbs, perfect for cosy family dinners and easy weeknight comfort.
Equipment
- frying pan
Ingredients
- 500 g mince beef
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped (or ¼ tsp onion granules)
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tbsp plain flour
- 400 g passata
- 1 beef stock, dissolved in 350ml of boiling water
- 1 tsp caster sugar
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
- dash worcester sauce
- salt and pepper
- dried spaghetti
Optional
- grated cheese, sprinkled on top
- mushrooms, halved and cooked in butter
Instructions
- Fry the onions for a few minutes in a tiny bit of oil, then add garlic. After 30 seconds add the mince and fry until there is no longer any pink, breaking up any chunks of mince.
- Drain away any fat from the mince, sprinkle over the flour and combine, add beef stock, passata, caster sugar, oregano, mixed herbs, Worcester sauce and mix together and season, turn down the heat and simmer for around 10-15mins. If the mixture is too thick, add a bit more water.
- Whilst the mince is simmering, boil the spaghetti according to the packets instructions.
- Drain the spaghetti and divide between warmed pasta bowls. Spoon the bolognese mixture on top, sprinkle with freshly grated cheese and serve immediately with crunchy garlic bread.