Homemade Spaghetti Bolognese (Rich, Thick & Easy Dinner!)
The ultimate best homemade spaghetti bolognese recipe! A rich, thick, and deeply flavorful meat sauce served over al dente pasta. Easy 30-minute family dinner!
Ingredients
- 1 lb dry spaghetti
- 1.5 lbs 80/20 ground beef
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots finely chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup milk or heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves torn
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté onion and carrots until softened, then brown the ground beef.
- Add a splash of milk to the beef and let it fully absorb before adding tomato paste.
- Cook tomato paste briefly, then stir in crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer uncovered for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
- Boil spaghetti until al dente, reserving 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Toss drained pasta into the sauce with a splash of reserved pasta water.
- Top with parmesan and fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- Never rinse your pasta after boiling; the starchy coating helps the sauce cling properly.
- The milk trick, added while browning the beef, tenderizes the meat and balances the tomatoes' acidity.
- Always save at least 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining, since it helps bind the sauce to the noodles.