Best Classic Bolognese
A rich, slow-cooked tomato sauce with ground beef and herbs, perfect over al dente pasta. This italian-inspired quick meals ready in about 120 minutes pairs ground beef, medium, diced onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 24 oz tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 small, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 4 oz, diced bacon
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 12 oz spaghetti pasta
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 4 oz bacon and cook until crispy, about 5 minutes. Add 1 medium onion and 3 cloves garlic, sauté for 5 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 small carrots and 2 stalks celery, cooking for 3 minutes until slightly tender. Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it into small pieces, and cook until browned, about 8 minutes.
- Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup red wine, stirring to deglaze the pan. Add 24 oz tomato sauce, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then cook for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavors deepen.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, cook 12 oz spaghetti in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 5: Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce, adding a splash of pasta water to help bind the mixture. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best Classic Bolognese take to make?
Total time is about 120 minutes (30 min prep + 90 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Best Classic Bolognese?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best Classic Bolognese?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best Classic Bolognese for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Best Classic Bolognese?
Italian quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
