Print

Quick 20-Minute Bolognese Recipe

Quick 20-Minute Bolognese - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy homemade Bolognese sauce ready in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights. This hearty Italian classic blends ground beef with finely grated veggies and a touch of cream for a rich, savory flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 medium carrot, finely grated
  • 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 12 ounces spaghetti or your favorite pasta
  • Fresh parsley or basil, a handful chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: finely grate the carrot, chop the celery and onion, and mince the garlic (5 minutes).
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium flame in a large skillet until shimmering (1 minute).
  3. Sauté grated carrot, celery, and onion until softened and fragrant but not browned, about 3 minutes.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds, being careful not to burn it.
  5. Add ground beef, crumble and cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes, stirring often.
  6. Mix in tomato paste, dried oregano, and dried basil; stir and let the paste darken slightly, about 1 minute.
  7. Pour in crushed tomatoes and milk; stir well and bring to a gentle simmer. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes (5 minutes).
  8. Simmer uncovered for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens. Add a splash of water or broth if too thick.
  9. Meanwhile, boil salted water and cook pasta according to package directions (8-10 minutes). Drain pasta, reserving a small cup of pasta water.
  10. Toss drained pasta into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen and coat evenly.
  11. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or basil and a grind of pepper. Optionally, add freshly grated Parmesan.

Notes

Finely grate veggies to ensure they melt into the sauce for a smooth texture. Don’t overcrowd the pan when browning meat for better caramelization. Simmer uncovered to thicken sauce quickly. Taste and season gradually to avoid over-salting. Leftovers taste better the next day and sauce freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Bolognese, quick dinner, Italian sauce, ground beef recipe, weeknight dinner, easy pasta sauce, homemade Bolognese

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/quick-20-minute-bolognese-recipe-easy-homemade-hearty-weeknight-dinners/