How to Make Authentic Spaghetti Bolognese (Recipe Guide)

Few dishes are as comforting and universally loved as Spaghetti Bolognese. While it’s often associated with quick weeknight meals or basic pasta nights, the authentic Italian version, known as Ragù alla Bolognese, is a slow-simmered, deeply flavorful meat sauce with roots in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy—particularly Bologna. Rich, hearty, and layered with depth, it’s a dish that rewards patience and transforms simple ingredients into something unforgettable.

Unlike the tomato-heavy versions many Americans grew up with, true Bolognese is built on a foundation of finely chopped onions, carrots, and celery sautéed in olive oil or butter, combined with ground beef or pork, a splash of wine, a touch of milk, and only a modest amount of tomato. The result is a savory, velvety sauce that clings beautifully to fresh pasta and fills your kitchen with the kind of aroma that brings everyone to the table before the meal is even ready.

This recipe guide walks you through how to make Bolognese the authentic way, with step-by-step instructions and practical tips for building flavor slowly and intentionally. If you’ve only ever had the jarred sauce version, you’re in for a delicious surprise.

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Best Time to Eat & What to Serve With It

Authentic spaghetti Bolognese is ideal for a cozy dinner, especially on weekends when you have time to let the sauce simmer low and slow. It’s a perfect comfort food for cool evenings, dinner parties, or anytime you want a meal that feels both rustic and elegant.

To elevate the experience, serve the sauce over tagliatelle (the pasta shape traditionally used in Bologna), although spaghetti is a beloved alternative worldwide. Pair with a simple arugula salad, a chunk of crusty Italian bread, and a robust red wine like Chianti, Barbera, or Sangiovese. A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano on top adds the perfect finishing touch.

Whether shared with friends or enjoyed quietly at home, authentic Bolognese is one of those meals that never goes out of style—and once you try it from scratch, you’ll never go back to the store-bought version.

How to Make Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe Ingredients

400g spaghetti
500g ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
1 large onion
2 cloves of garlic
2-3 carrots, finely chopped
800g canned chopped tomatoes or tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup red wine
1 cup beef or vegetable broth
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
Olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil
Grated cheese for serving

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Step By Step How to Make Spaghetti Bolognese

Step 1 – Prepare the Sauce

Prepare the vegetables and add olive oil, then add the chopped onion and carrot, Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.

Add the minced garlic and the meat breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until the meat is browned and cooked.

We usually pour in the red wine and let it reduce slightly (but if you don’t want to add red wine is also fine). Last part is adding the tomatoes with some tomato paste, oregano, and basil, Seasoned with salt and pepper.

Add the broth, bring the sauce to a simmer, and let it cook uncovered for about 30 minutes to an hour. The longer it cooks, the better the flavors will meld.

Step 2 – Cook the Pasta
Boiling the water and adding salt and little bit of oil to add the spaghetti. Cook the spaghetti for around 8-10 minutes based in the instructions coming from the package. Make sure you try them before draining at dente.

Once the spaghetti is cooked drain the pasta before mixing with the sauce.

Step 3 – Mix Pasta and Sauce

Mix the pasta with the sauce or you can serve them separated if you prefer.

Step 4 – Serve and Eat
Serve the Spaghetti Bolognese hot, with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese or similar that you can find it.

Tips To Make Spaghetti Bolognese

Consider letting the sauce simmer on low heat for a couple of hours when cooking the sauce for a richer flavor. You can also make the sauce the day before and it will be more consistent with the flavor.

We love adding red wine for a better taste to the sauce but if you can’t find or you don’t have is fine with the meat or vegetable broth in the sauce.

For the meat, you can use turkey, chicken, pork, beef or even plant-based meat substitutes, our favorite is pork and meet combined but we also love combining turkey and chicken for the sauce.

You never go wrong with Spaghetti Bolognese a delicious, traditional taste of Italy and makes for a comforting meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner, anytime!