Spaghetti bolognese is a timeless dish loved by many around the world. The combination of juicy tomato sauce, savoury minced meat and al-dente cooked spaghetti makes it a comfort meal that always tastes good. But what is the secret behind a truly delicious spaghetti bolognese? The answer is simple: homemade! In this article, I will guide you on how to make the perfect spaghetti bolognese that will delight your taste buds and impress your guests.
Step 1: gathering ingredients
Before you start, it is important to have all the ingredients to hand. For a classic spaghetti bolognese, you will need:
- 400 grams of spaghetti
- 500g minced beef (or mixed mince)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 teentjes knoflook, fijngehakt
- 2 carrots, cut into small pieces
- 2 stalks of celery, cut into small pieces
- 400g diced tomatoes (canned or fresh tomatoes)
- 200 ml beef bouillon
- 2 tablespoons tomato puree
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil
- Fresh Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Step 2: prepare the sauce
Heat a dash of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrots and celery and fry until soft, about 5 minutes. Then add the minced beef and fry until it is loose and brown.
Step 3: add the tomatoes
Add the diced tomatoes, tomato puree, beef stock, dried oregano and basil to the pan. Stir everything well and bring the mixture to a boil. Then turn down the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to develop properly. Remember to stir occasionally.
Step 4: cook the spaghetti
While the sauce simmers, bring a large pan of lightly salted water to the boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the instructions on the packet until al dente. Drain the spaghetti and save a little of the cooking water.
Step 5: mixing and serving
Add the cooked spaghetti to the pan of sauce and mix well. If the sauce is too thick, you can add some of the saved cooking water to thin the consistency. Season the spaghetti bolognese with salt and pepper as desired.
Step 6: serve and enjoy!
Ladle the spaghetti bolognese into deep plates and grate some fresh Parmesan cheese on top, if desired. Serve it with a crusty piece of bread and a green salad for a complete meal. Buon appetito!