Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Cooking the Bolognese
- Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, then add pancetta or bacon and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the crispy pancetta/bacon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
- Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and sauté for about 8-10 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Increase heat to medium-high and add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until the beef is browned and any liquid has evaporated, draining any excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, then pour in the red wine and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Cook until the wine has mostly evaporated.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir well to combine, bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low.
- Cover the pot and let the Bolognese simmer for at least 1.5 to 2 hours, or up to 3 hours for deeper flavor, stirring occasionally. The sauce should be thick and rich.
- Remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow the sauce to thicken further, then stir in the chopped fresh basil and adjust seasoning.
- While the sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente.
- Serve the Bolognese sauce over hot spaghetti, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, along with the reserved crispy pancetta/bacon.
Notes
For an even richer flavor, prepare the Bolognese sauce a day in advance and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently before serving with freshly cooked pasta.
