Name: Easy Spaghetti Bolognese - Printable Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 3
Cuisine: English
Ingredients: Large Saute/Frying Pan; Mini Chopper (Optional); Olive Oil; 250 g Minced Beef; Salt; 1/2 Onion, (Peeled); 2 Garlic Cloves, (Peeled); 1 Carrot, (Peeled); 1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar; Splash Worcestershire Sauce; 1 tbsp Tomato Puree; 400 g Tin of Chopped Tomatoes; 250 ml Beef Stock; 200 g Dried Spaghetti; Chopped Parsley, (To Serve, Optional)

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Looking for a super easy spaghetti bolognese recipe that is quick to make and tastes amazing? You’re in the right place! Packed with step by step pictures, tips and more – this is the only spaghetti bolognese recipe you will EVER need. Beautifully rich, way healthier than a shop bought jar, and made in just 30 minutes. That’s not bad going for a spag bol is it?

If you’re a big fan of the 30 minute stove top meal – I guarantee you’ll adore my super easy one pot orzo bolognese too! It’s just as simple but adds a tasty twist on a family favourite.

Easy spaghetti bolognese in a black bowl with a fork, topped with parsley

It’s all too easy to reach for a jar out the cupboard nowadays (I’m personally very guilty of this!) but it doesn’t give you the same satisfaction when you eat it, am I right? Sometimes the thought of making dinner from scratch can seem time consuming and overwhelming. Not with this super easy spaghetti bolognese recipe!

I would even go as far as to say it’s an ideal addition to my midweek meal planner. You should go get yours now, it’s FREE!

This delicious recipe is so SO simple to make, super quick and seriously tasty. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner recipe that can just as easily be used as an impressive dinner party main course too. (That’s why we put a cheeky sprig of parsley in the top isn’t it?!)

I do love a good comfort food classic. If you do too – you should totally check out this classic macaroni cheese recipe with a delicious secret ingredient…

I’m going to let you in on a little secret of mine… I hate chopping. It’s fiddly, time consuming and generally just a pain. That’s why I use a mini chopper to do it for me! (Side note – I’m not getting paid to say that, it’s the God’s honest truth. I’m just super lazy and busy and love anything that will save me time!) I’ve dropped an Amazon link near the end of the post if you want to save time just like me!

Never made spaghetti bolognese from scratch before? Don’t panic! Here’s some top tips to help you along the way.

Easy Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe Tips

I say this again and again but with good reason. Prepare all your ingredients and read the recipe all the way through before you begin. I promise it will make your kitchen life so much easier!
Invest in a great quality saute/frying pan. I used to get through a new frying pan every 6 months. Then I bought a few Stellar & Scanpan saucepans etc and I’ve never had to by another since. That was over 7 years ago. No they’re not cheap but, over time, I’ve saved myself tons of money! (They’re also WAY easier to wash as the non stick is AMAZING and never scrapes off!) Speculate to accumulate and all that.
Scrap the hand chopping and get a mini chopper! It’s basically a small food processor that means you can have beautiful, finely diced vegetables in a jiffy without any hard work. WIN. (See Amazon link towards the end of the post for the one I’ve used for years!)
If you want a healthier bolognese use a lean minced beef. If you want ALL the flavour – use a meat with a good percentage of fat.
Want to batch cook your spaghetti bolognese? You absolutely can! (This recipe is also easily doubled.) All you have to do is cool it completely, store portions in freezer bags or plastic tubs and freeze. Use within 1 month. Simply defrost in the fridge overnight and cook fresh spaghetti to accompany it.

Easy Spaghetti Bolognese – Step by Step Picture Recipe

Here is what you will need to serve 2-3

Ingredients

Olive Oil
250g (8.8 oz) Minced Beef
Salt
1/2 Onion, Peeled
2 Garlic Cloves, Peeled
1 Carrot, Peeled
1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
Splash of Worcestershire Sauce
1 tbsp Tomato Puree
1 x 400g (14 oz) Tin of Chopped Tomatoes
250ml (1 Cup) Beef Stock
200g (7 oz) Dried Spaghetti
Chopped Parsley, To Serve (Optional)

Essential Equipment

Large Saute/Frying Pan
Mini Chopper (Optional)

Instructions

First up, heat 1-2 tbsp of olive oil in your pan set over a medium heat.

olive oil in a large saucepan (easy spaghetti bolognese)

When it’s nice and hot, add in the minced beef (250g | 8.8 oz) and immediately start to break it down with a wooden spatula (or similar).

olive oil and beef mince in a large saucepan (easy spaghetti bolognese)

When it looks a little like below – season it well with some salt. ( I prefer to use sea salt.)

olive oil and beef mince in a large saucepan cooking (easy spaghetti bolognese)

Then keep breaking it up and cook until it’s completely browned all over.

browned beef mince in a large saucepan (easy spaghetti bolognese)

Great job! Let’s drain out that fat and get the vegetables in.

If you haven’t already, prepare those vegetables. Either using a mini chopper or a sharp knife – finely chop the onion (1/2 peeled), garlic (2 cloves peeled) and carrot (1 peeled) then add them straight into the pan. If you need to, add a little more oil to stop anything from catching on the bottom.

browned beef mince, carrot, onion & garlic in a large saucepan (easy spaghetti bolognese)

Cook stirring often over a medium heat for 5 minutes until the veg starts to soften.

browned beef mince, carrot, onion & garlic in a large saucepan with balsamic vinegar and worcestershire sauce. (easy spaghetti bolognese)

Then we need to add some flavour! Add in the balsamic vinegar (1 tbsp) and Worcestershire sauce (splash) and give it a good stir. Cook for a further 2 minutes.

browned beef mince, carrot, onion & garlic in a large saucepan with balsamic vinegar and worcestershire sauce.

Next we need to make that beautifully rich sauce. Add in the tomato puree (1 tbsp) then pour in the chopped tomatoes (1 x 400g | 14 oz tin) and the beef stock (250ml | 1 Cup). Give it all a good stir.

Large saucepan filled with easy spaghetti bolognese ingredients. (Tinned tomatoes, beef mince, vegetables and beef stock.)

Easy spaghetti bolognese mince cooking in a large saucepan

Have a quick taste – if it needs a little more salt then add some in. Now bring it up to the boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for around 15 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Be sure to stir it occasionally.

Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions.

And that’s it! Your kitchen should be smelling pretty darn good around about now so let’s tuck in… Divide the pasta and bolognese between 2-3 bowls and serve immediately scattered with a little chopped parsley if you’re feeling fancy.

I can’t think of a more commonly eaten dish in the Kitchen Mason household. Spaghetti bolognese is a FIRM favourite with my daughter and I can understand why! I hope you’re thrilled with the results of this easy spaghetti bolognese recipe and that it becomes a favourite in your house too.

Have you made this?

Have you made this dish? I want to know! Drop me a line at emma@kitchenmason.com or tag me on any social media channels – you have no idea just how much I LOVE hearing from you!

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