Italian-Style Spaghetti Bolognese
A hearty pasta dish with slow-cooked beef, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs for a rich, authentic flavor. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 70 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 550 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
- 1.2 lbs ground beef
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 medium, diced carrots
- 1/2 stalk, diced celery
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian herbs (oregano, basil)
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté 1 diced onion, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/2 diced carrot for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 1.2 lbs ground beef and cook for 8 minutes until browned. Stir in 1/2 cup red wine and 1 tsp Italian herbs; simmer for 5 minutes until liquid is absorbed.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 cups tomato sauce and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
- Step 4: Add 1/2 diced celery and 1/2 cup water; simmer for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 5: Cook 12 oz spaghetti in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and toss with the sauce.
- Step 6: Top with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Italian-Style Spaghetti Bolognese take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (25 min prep + 45 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 Italian-Style Spaghetti 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 Italian-Style Spaghetti 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 Italian-Style Spaghetti 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 Italian-Style Spaghetti Bolognese?
Italian pasta 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
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better pasta dishes though.
- ★☆☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
