Presenting a truly beloved Italian dish that’s comforting, hearty and totally addictive. Here Jamie Olivers Classic Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe features a slow cooked sauce full of minced meat, tomatoes and aromatic herbs. It’s a great meal for a midweek dinner, or as a splurge for idle weekends when you want something warm and lovely to bring everybody to the table.
Why You’ll Love It
Spaghetti Bolognese is a true classic, rich, savory and full of depth. The slow simmer extracts maximum flavor from simple pantry ingredients, and makes this dish both economical and impressive. Whether cooking for the family or entertaining friends: You can’t beat a big bowl of pasta enveloped in a luscious, meat-flecked tomato sauce.
Ingredient Fun Facts & Tips
Tomatoes: They’re antioxidant-rich, including lycopene, that’s better absorbed when cooked. So that slow simmer not only tastes great — it’s also providing you with some added nutritional benefits!
Herbs: Fresh basil or oregano added direction at the end brightens the dish, but dried oregano or thyme makes for excellence even during cookery for deeper flavor.
Veggie Boost: For a healthful spin, dice and stir in carrots or zucchini into the sauce. They’ll melt in and boost extra nutrients.
Classic Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe by Jamie Oliver
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 500g (about 1 lb) minced beef or a mixture of beef and pork
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- A handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 50g fresh breadcrumbs (about ½ cup)
- 1 large free-range egg
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- A small handful of grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
For the Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, sliced
- 800g (2 cans) quality chopped tomatoes or passata
- A handful of fresh basil leaves
- Salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar (if needed)
Instructions
Sauté the Base
- Heat a splash of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Next add the chopped onion, garlic, and diced carrots (if using). Add a bit of salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring once in a while until the veggies have softened.
Brown the Meat
- Turn up the heat a little and add the minced beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon, and stir until browned and beginning to caramelize. If holding a lot of fat, drain some off, though a little bit helps to keep the sauce rich.
More Step-by-Step Instructions
Build the Sauce:
Stir in the tomato paste and allow to cook for a minute or two. Stir in the chopped tomatoes, dried oregano, and another pinch of salt and pepper. Lower the heat to low, cover and allow the sauce to simmer gently for at least 20 to 30 minutes, longer if you can, in order to deepen its flavor.
Cook the Pasta:
As the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the spaghetti. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining the pasta, reserve a small cup of the starchy cooking water.
Combine & Serve:
Taste your sauce, and adjust seasoning if needed. If it appears too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water. Plate the spaghetti, top it with that beautiful, slow-cooked sauce, add fresh basil leaves.” Drizzle with a little Parmesan cheese if you want. This Jamie Oliver Classic Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe shows that classic comfort food is timeless—buon appetito!