Quick and easy spaghetti bolognese is one of those recipes that everyone should have in their back pocket. Spaghetti noodles are tossed in a rich and thick meaty bolognese sauce that is packed with so much flavour. It comes together in under 30 minutes from prep to table, making it the perfect weeknight meal.
Quick and easy 30-minute meals are kind of our jam over here. This spaghetti bolognese never disappoints. Some other family favourites for busy weeknights are stovetop mac and cheese with white cheddar, creamy lemon chicken piccata, creamy tortellini soup with sausage, and baked maple salmon.
Ingredients in Spaghetti Bolognese
To make our version of spaghetti bolognese, you will need the following ingredients:
- spaghetti noodles
- olive oil
- ground beef
- onion
- garlic
- tomato sauce and tomato paste
- Worcestershire sauce
- granulated sugar - helps balance out the sour tomato sauce and paste.
- salt and pepper
- fresh parsley
- Parmesan cheese - to sprinkle on top when serving.
You also need a medium cooking bot or 4 qt. Dutch oven.
How to Make the Best Spaghetti Bolognese
- Make the spaghetti. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium high heat. Add spaghetti noodles and ½ tablespoon olive oil and cook till al dente (fully cooked but still firm) according to package directions, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse the noodles under cold water to cool off completely and set aside.
- Make the meat sauce. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium cooking pot or 4 qt. Dutch oven for 2 minutes over medium high heat until the hot oil sizzles. Add ground beef and stir well to cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Add onion and garlic. Stir well to combine and continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until soft and tender. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, parsley, salt, pepper, and parsley. Stir well to combine. Bring the meat sauce to a simmer, then turn the heat down to low and simmer for 10 minutes uncovered.
- Toss and serve. Add the spaghetti to the pot and toss well to coat with the sauce. Serve the spaghetti with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley on top.
Tips
- How to serve: Serve spaghetti bolognese with a side of crusty garlicky bread to soak up any delicious extra sauce. Try pull apart garlic bread, rosemary garlic focaccia bread, no knead bread or slices of french baguettes. I also like to balance a big plate of pasta with a fresh salad on the side. Try Mediterranean chickpea wedge salad, easy Greek salad, or tomato cucumber avocado salad.
- How to store. Store spaghetti bolognese in the pot with the lid on or in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply reheat in the pot over the stove or reheat a smaller portion in a shallow saucepan or in the microwave. You may need to add a little water to thin out the sauce a bit and it may have thickened up when stored.
More Pasta Recipes
- Easy Meat Lasagna
- Cheesy Tortellini and Sausage Bake
- Stovetop Mac and Cheese with White Cheddar
- Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta Bake
- Spaghetti Alfredo with Spinach and Mushrooms
- Creamy White Chicken and Spinach Lasagna
- Farfalle Pasta with Light Creamy Mushroom Rose Sauce
- Turkey Tetrazzini with Spinach
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Recipe
Spaghetti Bolognese
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
Description
Quick easy spaghetti bolognese with a rich, thick, delicious and flavourful meat sauce is a family favourite ready in 30 minutes. Best weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. spaghetti noodles, uncooked
- 2 + ½ tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- ½ tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz.) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley (+ more for garnish), finely chopped
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium high heat. Add spaghetti noodles and ½ tablespoon olive oil and cook till al dente (fully cooked but still firm) according to package directions, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse the noodles under cold water to cool off completely and set aside.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium cooking pot or 4 qt. Dutch oven for 2 minutes over medium high heat until the hot oil sizzles. Add ground beef and stir well to cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add onion and garlic. Stir well to combine and continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until soft and tender.
- Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, parsley, salt, pepper, and parsley. Stir well to combine. Bring the meat sauce to a simmer, then turn the heat down to low and simmer for 10 minutes uncovered, stirring occasionally.
- Add the spaghetti to the pot and toss well to coat with the sauce.
- Serve the spaghetti with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley on top.
Notes
How to serve: Serve spaghetti bolognese with a side of crusty garlicky bread to soak up any delicious extra sauce. Try pull apart garlic bread, rosemary garlic focaccia bread, no knead bread or slices of french baguettes. I also like to balance a big plate of pasta with a fresh salad on the side. Try Mediterranean chickpea wedge salad, easy Greek salad, or tomato cucumber avocado salad.
How to store. Store spaghetti bolognese in the pot with the lid on or in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply reheat in the pot over the stove or reheat a smaller portion in a shallow saucepan or in the microwave. You may need to add a little water to thin out the sauce a bit and it may have thickened up when stored.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Alisha says
i had to do this for a school project it worked amazingly my teacher loved it thx
Lauren says
I loved it! I made this for my dad who is a huge critic. Let’s just say he came back for seconds. I’m a inexperienced cook but great with directions so thank you!!
Dorianne Vella says
Loved the flavor!! The best thing about this I can just let my 13 year olds follow your easy method and I can get many things done... I can't thank you enough 🙂
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you Dorianne!!
Gina says
Perfect weeknight meal!
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you! I totally agree!
Jennifer says
It really was so quick and easy! Loved the flavor!
Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you so much Jennifer! So glad you liked the recipe.