Traditional Italian Spaghetti Bolognese with Parmesan and Basil
A hearty pasta dish featuring a slow-simmered meat sauce, fresh basil, and grated Parmesan. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 70 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 500 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
- 400g spaghetti
- 300g ground beef
- 1 medium (diced) onion
- 3 cloves (minced) garlic
- 200g tomato puree
- 100ml red wine
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 50g (grated) Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp (chopped) fresh basil
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 quarts water to a boil. Add 400g spaghetti and 1 tsp salt. Cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Add 300g ground beef, breaking it into small pieces. Cook for 5 minutes until browned, then stir in 100ml red wine to deglaze.
- Step 4: Add 200g tomato puree, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 5: Toss cooked spaghetti into the sauce, stir to coat, and top with 50g grated Parmesan and 1 tbsp fresh basil. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Traditional Italian Spaghetti Bolognese with Parmesan and Basil take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (30 min prep + 40 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 Traditional Italian Spaghetti Bolognese with Parmesan and Basil?
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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Traditional Italian Spaghetti Bolognese with Parmesan and Basil?
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 Traditional Italian Spaghetti Bolognese with Parmesan and Basil 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 Traditional Italian Spaghetti Bolognese with Parmesan and Basil?
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
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 40-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
