Classic Spaghetti Bolognese

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-23 · Updated 2026-03-23

Rich and hearty Italian meat sauce over perfectly cooked spaghetti. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 50 minutes pairs spaghetti, ground beef, medium, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 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 spaghetti
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• to taste salt
• 1/2 cup, grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large (8-quart) pot over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking, swirling the oil to coat the bottom. Tip: Use a heavy-bottomed pot for even heat distribution.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced onion (about 1/2-inch pieces) and sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until edges are golden brown and onions are soft but not browned. Tip: Cook onions slowly for sweetness—avoid high heat.
3. Step 3: Add 4 cloves minced garlic, stir immediately, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Tip: Don’t let garlic cook too long or it’ll burn.
4. Step 4: Add 1 lb ground beef, using a spatula to break into small crumbles. Cook over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until no pink remains and fat has rendered. Tip: Brown meat in batches if pan is too crowded for even cooking.
5. Step 5: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp dried basil. Mix thoroughly to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the pot bottom.
6. Step 6: Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and flavors meld. Tip: If sauce becomes too dry, add 1/4 cup water at a time to maintain consistency.
7. Step 7: While sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 lb spaghetti and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Tip: Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining for a silky sauce if needed.
8. Step 8: Serve sauce over pasta, top with 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, and toss gently to combine. Tip: Add cheese off heat to prevent clumping, and adjust salt to taste.