Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe: Authentic and Delicious

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This authentic pasta recipe, passed down from an old Italian chef to my grandfather, has become a beloved tradition in our family. It’s a simple yet delicious spaghetti bolognese that everyone loves. The combination of rich, meaty sauce and perfectly cooked spaghetti topped with freshly grated Parmesan makes for a meal that’s hard to beat. Here’s how you can make this classic dish at home.

Ingredients:

For the Sauce:

  • 500 grams of minced meat
  • Spices to taste (salt, pepper, oregano, basil, etc.)
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1 onion
  • 150 milliliters of tomato paste
  • 50 grams of grated Parmesan

For the Pasta:

  • Spaghetti

Instructions:

Preparing the Sauce

1. Chop the Garlic and Onion:

  • Start by finely chopping 2 cloves of garlic and 1 onion. The garlic will add a fragrant aroma to the sauce, while the onion provides a sweet and savory base.

2. Sauté the Garlic and Onion:

  • In a large skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and onion to the skillet.
  • Sauté them until they are soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter.

3. Brown the Minced Meat:

  • Add 500 grams of minced meat to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until the meat is browned all over, which should take about 8-10 minutes.
  • Browning the meat is crucial as it adds depth and flavor to the sauce.

4. Add the Tomato Paste:

  • Pour in 150 milliliters of tomato paste. Stir well to combine with the meat.
  • The tomato paste adds a rich and concentrated flavor that forms the base of the sauce.

5. Season the Sauce:

  • Add your desired spices. Traditional choices include salt, pepper, oregano, and basil, but you can adjust the seasonings to your taste.
  • Let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken.

Cooking the Spaghetti

6. Boil the Water:

  • While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Adding salt to the water seasons the pasta as it cooks and enhances its flavor.

7. Cook the Spaghetti:

  • Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
  • Al dente means “to the tooth” in Italian, indicating that the pasta should be cooked until it is firm to the bite.

8. Drain the Spaghetti:

  • Once the spaghetti is cooked, drain it in a colander, but do not rinse. Rinsing pasta removes the starch that helps the sauce adhere to it.

Combining and Serving

9. Combine the Spaghetti and Sauce:

  • Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce. Toss the spaghetti in the sauce until well coated.
  • This step ensures that every strand of pasta is enveloped in the rich, meaty sauce.

10. Serve Hot:

  • Serve the spaghetti bolognese hot. Top with freshly grated Parmesan for an extra burst of flavor.
  • For an authentic touch, you can also add a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil or parsley.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Authentic and Flavorful:

  • This recipe stays true to traditional Italian cooking, with simple ingredients that combine to create deep, rich flavors.

Easy to Make:

  • With straightforward steps and common ingredients, this dish is accessible to both novice and experienced cooks.

Versatile:

  • The recipe can be easily adapted. You can add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the sauce, or use different types of pasta if you prefer.

Tips for the Best Spaghetti Bolognese

Use Quality Ingredients:

  • Fresh, high-quality ingredients make a big difference in the final dish. Opt for fresh garlic, good-quality tomato paste, and fresh Parmesan cheese.

Simmer the Sauce:

  • Allowing the sauce to simmer for at least 15-20 minutes deepens the flavors and helps the spices meld together.

Cook Pasta Al Dente:

  • Cooking the pasta al dente gives it the perfect texture to complement the rich sauce.

Serving Suggestions

With Garlic Bread:

  • Serve the spaghetti bolognese with a side of garlic bread. The crunchy, buttery bread is perfect for soaking up any extra sauce.

With a Green Salad:

  • A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette makes a fresh and healthy accompaniment to the rich pasta dish.

With a Glass of Wine:

  • Pair the meal with a glass of red wine, such as Chianti or Sangiovese, to complement the flavors of the sauce.

Health Benefits of Key Ingredients

Minced Meat:

  • Provides a good source of protein and essential nutrients like iron and B vitamins, which are important for energy and overall health.

Garlic and Onion:

  • Both garlic and onion are rich in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties. They also add depth of flavor without adding many calories.

Tomato Paste:

  • Tomato paste is a concentrated source of vitamins A and C, potassium, and lycopene, an antioxidant that has been linked to many health benefits.

This authentic spaghetti bolognese recipe, handed down from an old Italian chef, is a must-try for any pasta lover. With its rich, meaty sauce and perfectly cooked spaghetti, it’s a dish that brings the flavors of Italy to your table. Follow these steps to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion.

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