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    Home » Recipes » Main Courses

    Spaghetti alla Bolognese

    Published: May 31, 2022 · Modified: May 16, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    This spaghetti alla bolognese recipe is an easy, delicious, and simple pasta dish featuring all the flavors of the garden. It's chunky, meaty, and oh, so good.

    Overhead shot of spaghetti alla bolognese on plate

    I love Italian dishes, especially when they're easy. Well, it doesn't get much easier than this one! It's simple, rustic, and delicious.

    Spaghetti alla Bolognese Recipe

    This was inspired by my other easy spaghetti recipe on this site and pairs well with this amazing garlic bread recipe.

    Ingredients

    This recipe only uses simple ingredients that you can find easily at your local grocery store. It's all about flavor, not being fancy.

    • Olive oil
    • Chopped onion
    • Finely chopped garlic
    • Sliced red bell pepper
    • Sliced yellow bell pepper
    • Sliced green bell pepper
    • Lean ground beef
    • Tomato paste
    • Red wine
    • Diced tomatoes
    • Vegetable stock powder
    • Dried oregano
    • Fresh basil
    • Fresh thyme
    • Smoked paprika (optional)
    • Spaghetti
    • Parmesan cheese

    Instructions

    Short introduction about this being easy to make, xyz number of steps, don't be overwhelmed by the steps etc.

    Step 1: Make the Spaghetti

    Cook the spaghetti according to the package direction for al dente. DRaink the spaghetti, reserving 1 tablespoon of the water for the sauce.

    Step 2: Cook the Vegetables

    Heat oil on medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the onions, garlic, and bell peppers and cook for about 3 minutes.

    Step 3: Cook the Beef

    Add the beef and cook until it's no longer pink.

    Step 4: Make the Sauce

    Add the tomato paste and wine and cook until it's reduced and thickened. Then, reduce the heat to medium low and add the reserved pasta water, diced tomatoes, vegetable stock powder, oregano, baseil, thyme, and smoked paprika. Cover and simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens. Serve with the spaghetti and enjoy!

    Hint: Be sure to stir the sauce occasionally as it cooks to prevent sticking and burning.

    Overhead shot of pasta alla Bolognese on plate with a fork and knife

    Substitutions

    Don't have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this pasta alla bolognese recipe.

    • Any Bell Peppers - Use any color bell pepper you have available.
    • Ground Beef - You can use Italian sausage, ground turkey or a ground beef and pork blend in place of ground beef.

    Variations

    Want to personalize this pasta alla bolognese recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.

    • Spicy - Add red pepper flakes for a spicy version.
    • Fresh Tomatoes - For a brighter tomato flavor, add diced fresh tomatoes.
    • Omit the Wine - If you don't like cooking with wine, you can omit it and add about ¼ cup pasta water and tomato puree and some lemon juice.
    • Vegetables - Add some favorites, I frequently add mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, peas, corn and honestly anything goes

    If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this school cafeteria spaghetti.

    Equipment

    You don't need much in the way of equipment to make this recipe.

    • Measuring spoons
    • Skillet
    • Spoon
    • Can opener

    Storage

    You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to a month.

    Tips

    This recipe is absolutley one of the easiest you'll ever make, but even recipes this easy have their little things that make them even better.

    • Be sure not to overcook the onions and peppers. They'll continue to cook when you add the meat and as the sauce simmers.
    • Nice, hearty chunks of bell pepper are best. Aim for about an inch in size.
    Closeup overhead shot of spaghetti alla bolognese on plate

    FAQ

    Do you have questions about this spaghetti alla bolognese recipe? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about spaghetti alla bolognese.

    How long will this spaghetti last?

    It will last for about 3 days in the refrigerator or up to 1 month in the freezer.

    What is the difference between spaghetti sauce and bolognese?

    Bolognese sauce is thicker and chunkier than spaghetti sauce.

    How do I reheat the sauce?

    Place the sauce in a pot over medium-low heat and heat until warm.

    Can I omit the wine?

    Yes you can replace the wine with tomato purée and a bit of lemon juice or use ¼ boiled water from the pasta.

    What meat to use?

    Here I use only beef but you can also do half beef and half pork.

    Video

    YouTube video

    More Pasta Recipes

    Do you like pasta? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.

    • Summer Alfredo Pasta
    • Spaghetti Verde Pasta
    • Classic Pasta Salad

    Spaghetti alla Bolognese

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    Spaghetti alla Bolognese

    Karin and Ken
    This spaghetti alla bolognese recipe is full of garden fresh flavors you'll love. Bell peppers, onions, garlic, and tomatoes? Yum!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 6
    Calories 323 kcal

    Equipment

    • large skillet
    • measuring spoons
    • spoon
    • can opener

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 medium onion chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
    • 1 medium red bell pepper sliced
    • 1 medium yellow bell pepper sliced
    • 1 medium green bell pepper sliced
    • 1 pound lean ground beef
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • ¼ cup red wine
    • 1 can (24 oz) diced tomatoes
    • 1 teaspoon vegetable stock powder
    • 1 teaspoon oregano dried
    • 1 teaspoon fresh basil
    • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional

    For Serving

    • freshly grated parmesan
    • 1 pound spaghetti, cooked
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Get out and measure your ingredients.
      Overhead photo of all the ingredients.
    • Cook your spaghetti in a pot of salted water. Add 1 tablespoon of the water to the sauce and mix.
    • In a large saucepan, heat oil on medium heat. Fry onions, garlic and bell peppers.
      onions, garlic and bell peppers frying in a large sauce pan.
    • Cook for about 3 minutes then add beef and fry until well cooked.
      Beef added to the large sauce pan to be fried with the vegetables.
    • Add tomato paste with wine. Cook until the sauce is reduced and thickened. Decrease heat to medium low and stir in the tomato cubes, vegetable stock powder, oregano, basil, thyme and smoked paprika.
      Prepared spaghetti sauce in a large sauce pan.
    • Cover the pan with a lid and let simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens. Stir occasionally so the sauce does not get burned.
    • Divide bolognese and serve with spaghetti.
      Spaghetti alla Bolognese served in a round white plate.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 323kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 22gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 96mgPotassium: 521mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 921IUVitamin C: 81mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 4mg
    Keyword spaghetti alla bolognese
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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