Slow-Simmered Beef & Mushroom Bolognese
A rich, meaty pasta sauce simmered for depth, featuring lean ground beef and earthy mushrooms for a comforting weeknight meal. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 115 minutes pairs lean (95% lean) ground beef, cremini, finely chopped mushrooms, medium, finely 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
- 12 oz lean (95% lean) ground beef
- 8 oz cremini, finely chopped mushrooms
- 1 medium, finely diced onion
- 1/2 cup finely diced carrot
- 1/2 cup finely diced celery
- 1 cup tomato passata
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, add 12 oz lean ground beef, and cook, breaking it into small crumbles, until browned and no longer pink (6-7 minutes).
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium, add 1 medium finely diced onion, 1/2 cup finely diced carrot, and 1/2 cup finely diced celery; cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened and translucent.
- Step 3: Stir in 8 oz finely chopped cremini mushrooms, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 cup red wine, then simmer for 3 minutes until the wine evaporates and the mushrooms release their liquid.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup tomato passata, reduce heat to low, and simmer covered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Cook 12 oz spaghetti according to package directions until al dente, then toss with 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil and serve the bolognese sauce over the pasta.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Beef & Mushroom Bolognese take to make?
Total time is about 115 minutes (25 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 Slow-Simmered Beef & Mushroom 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 lean (95% lean) ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Beef & Mushroom 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 Slow-Simmered Beef & Mushroom 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 Slow-Simmered Beef & Mushroom 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
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★☆☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
