Easy Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

Name: Easy Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 onion (finely chopped); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 pound ground beef (85-90% lean); 28 oz crushed tomatoes; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon dried basil; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1 Parmesan rind; 10 oz spaghetti (uncooked)

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Make this traditional hearty Spaghetti Bolognese from scratch! This simple homemade pasta meal has rich and flavorful meat sauce made with a secret ingredient! It will become your family’s favorite Sunday dinner recipe!

Spaghetti Bolognese in a bowl with a fork.

This is my to-go recipe for homemade spaghetti Bolognese that is easy to make in just 40 minutes. I’ve been making this dish for years now and found a secret ingredient that helps bring the sauce to a whole new level.

What is the secret ingredient?

Depending on what brand of canned tomatoes you are using, they can sometimes be acidic and ruin the whole dish. I found that when you add a small piece of Parmesan rind to the sauce and simmer it together for about 20 minutes, the cheese starts melting and binds all the flavors together. So even if your crushed tomatoes are acidic, adding a parmesan rind will help to smooth out the sharpness and give another layer of flavor.

I like to use the same trick in my Marinara Sauce from Scratch and Best Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe.

How to make it

Preheat a large skillet over medium/high heat and add about 2 tbsp olive oil. When hot, add 1 chopped onion and cook for about 10 minutes, until they soften and start to caramelize. Then add 2 cloves minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds.

Process photos of searing onions and garlic.

Add 1 pound ground beef and break it down into smaller pieces. You’ll need to cook it for about 10 more minutes or until it’s cooked through and doesn’t have any red or pink color inside.

Process photos of cooking ground beef with onion.

Add 28 oz crushed tomatoes (I prefer fire roasted variety) and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Stir and bring to a light simmer, then reduce the heat to low.

Process photos of adding tomato sauce and paste to ground beef.

Add the seasoning (½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp dried basil, and ¼ tsp red pepper flakes) and stir.

Process photos of adding spices to meat sauce.

Add a Parmesan rind, stir, and let the sauce simmer for about 20 minutes, constantly stirring.

Process photos of adding Parmesan rind to meat sauce.

While it’s cooking, we can start working on pasta. Boil a pot of water, season with water, and add 10 oz spaghetti. Cook according to the instructions until al-dente.

When the pasta is ready, drain the liquid, reserving 1 cup of starchy water. Then add the drained spaghetti to the sauce and stir together until evenly distributed. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a couple of tablespoons of reserved starchy water and mix again.

Sprinkle some grated parmesan and chopped parsley before serving.

Process photos of adding cooked spaghetti to meat sauce.

Tips for Best Results

Another trick to reduce the acidity in tomato sauce is to add a pinch of sugar. Make sure you add just a little bit, not to make it too sweet.
To add more flavor, you also can add a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it last in a fridge?

I like making a big batch of this dish as a meal prep and reheat in on busy nights. You can refrigerate it for up to 3 days. After the it is cooked, let it cool off. Then place it in an air tight container and refrigerate.

How to reheat?

To reheat Spaghetti Bolognese, preheat the pan on a low/medium heat and add a bit of olive oil. Then add the pasta, cover with a lid and let it reheat, stirring occasionally. I also like to add a little bit of water to the pasta while reheating and let it steam.

Can I freeze homemade Bolognese sauce?

You can freeze it for up to 4-6 months. However, I like to freeze the sauce only, without added pasta. Pack the sauce in air tight containers or in zip-lock bags, then put in the freezer.
When ready to eat, place the frozen sauce in the refrigerator a night before, to allow it to thaw. Then you can reheat in the pan and add some pasta.

What shall I serve it with?

I like to serve it with some bread (like Potato Rolls Recipe, Easy Dinner Rolls Recipe, or Sandwich Bread Recipe) and some veggies on the side (like Parmesan Roasted Broccoli).

Update Notes: This post was originally published in 2017, but was republished with new photos, step by step instructions, tips, and FAQs in January of 2021.