How To Make Spaghetti Bolognese

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner and lower in fat.

red wine

🥗Healthier: grape juice

💰Cheaper: beef broth

Grape juice provides sweetness without alcohol.

Parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is a dairy-free alternative.

canned tomatoes

🥗Healthier: fresh tomatoes

💰Cheaper: crushed tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes add brightness, while crushed are often cheaper.

Preheat the oven to 180° Centigrade or gas mark 4.

In a medium pan over high heat, warm through and add 60 mL of olive oil and the chopped bacon; stir well with a wooden spoon.

Once the bacon has rendered its fat, add the minced beef little by little, stirring to break it up and help it brown evenly.

After a few minutes, add the minced pork and stir well; allow it to cook for a few minutes until thoroughly cooked and separated.

Add the finely chopped onion, diced carrots, diced celery, and minced garlic; combine well and let it cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in the tomato puree and mix it in well; after a few minutes, add the red wine and allow it to evaporate.

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, turn off the heat, and season with oregano, salt, and pepper; give it a good final stir.

Place the pan in the center of the preheated oven and bake for roughly 1 hour to 1 hour and a half, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

If the sauce gets dry during baking, feel free to add a few spoonfuls of water.

20 minutes before the sauce has finished cooking, season a pan of boiling water with salt and add the spaghetti; gently push it down into the water and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Let the water come back to a boil; cook the spaghetti for roughly 7 to 10 minutes, checking the package instructions for exact timing.

Remove the pan from the oven after roughly 1 hour to 1 and a half hours when the majority of liquid has been absorbed.

Drain the pasta into a colander in the sink, placing a pot underneath to catch the extra liquid.

If serving later, wash the pasta and mix it with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.

Using tongs, heap a generous helping of spaghetti into a serving bowl, place an equally generous helping of the sauce on top, and garnish with chopped parsley and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Serve hot with a nice glass of red wine.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens