Spaghetti Bolognese
A classic family-friendly pasta dish with a rich meat sauce. Simple to make and loved by adults and children alike.
Prep: 10 minutes. Cook: 30 minutes. Difficulty: Easy. Serves 4.
Ingredients
- 400g spaghetti
- 500g minced beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Grated parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes until soft.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the minced beef. Break it up with a spoon and cook for 5 minutes until browned.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, and basil.
- Stir well. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package instructions.
- Drain the spaghetti.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper.
- Serve the spaghetti topped with the bolognese sauce and grated parmesan.
Tips for Helpers
- Break up the mince well while cooking — no large clumps.
- The sauce should simmer gently, not boil rapidly.
- Cook the pasta while the sauce is simmering to save time.
- Taste the sauce before serving and adjust salt if needed.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Minced beef can be replaced with minced chicken or pork.
- Fresh tomatoes (4 large, chopped) can replace canned tomatoes.
- Any pasta shape works — penne or fusilli are good alternatives.
- If no parmesan, use any hard cheese.