Quick and Easy Spag Bol Recipe

Introduction to Spaghetti Bolognese
Spaghetti Bolognese is a classic Italian dish made with ground beef, tomato sauce, and spaghetti. It is a a quick and easy dish to make, perfect for weeknight dinners since it can be made in under an hour.
The Secret to a Great Spag Bol
Using high-quality ingredients, such as lean ground beef and fresh basil and cooking the sauce slowly to develop a rich and thick flavour will transform your dish.
The secret is adding a mixture of tomato puree and beef stock cube to add depth to the sauce as well as a splash of red wine for more flavour.
Ingredients
200g spaghetti
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
500g ground beef
1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup water or beef broth
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Method
Spaghetti
Cook 200g spaghetti in a non-stick sauce pan with boiling, salted water until al dente.
Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the spaghetti.
Bolognese Sauce:
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
Stir in the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
Add 1/2 cup of water or beef broth, stir, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
Once the sauce is ready, add the spaghetti and mix together.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the dish with grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Offer garlic bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
Storage and Leftovers
Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze the sauce for up to 3 months and reheat when needed. Cooked spaghetti can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can use leftover sauce to make a lasagna or pasta bake.
Variations and Substitutions
Using ground pork or a combination of beef and pork will add a different flavour to the dish.
Add other vegetables, such as finely chopped carrots or bell peppers, to the sauce or use gluten-free pasta or substitute with zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.
Nutritional Information
This dish serves 4, per serving there is 550 calories, 35g protein, 60g carbs, 25g fat.
Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on ingredients used.
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