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Jamie Oliver Classic Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

Classic Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe by Jamie Oliver

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Ingredients Method

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)

Method
 

Sauté the Base
  1. 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
  1. 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.
Build the Sauce
  1. 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
  1. 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
  1. 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!