• How to cook the best spaghetti bolognaise

    Do you know how to cook spaghetti and mince in such a way that you create the ultimate spaghetti bolognaise? We’ve got all the secrets to spaghetti success with this mince bolognaise recipe.

    TOTAL TIME: 1 hour 20 mins | SERVES: 6-8

     

    INGREDIENTS

    • 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil
    • 1 kg lean beef mince
    • 2 small red onions, finely chopped
    • 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
    • 5 ml (1 tsp) fresh thyme leaves
    • 2 x 410 g tins Italian chopped tomatoes
    • 2 ½ tbsp sugar
    • 60 ml (¼ cup) tomato paste
    • salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • 1 cup (250 ml) boiling water
    • 500 g spaghetti
    • 15 ml (1 tbsp) fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
    • handful fresh basil leaves, torn
    • Parmesan shavings, to serve, optional
    • 2-3 medium-size zucchini, grated
    • 1-2 large carrots, grated
    • Red wine, just enough to rinse the tomato tin

     

    METHOD

    HEAT the oil in a heavy-based pot and brown the mince. Remove from the pan and set aside.

    IN the same pan, fry the onions, garlic and thyme until soft, about 15 minutes.

    ADD the tomato and paste along with the sugar. Rinse the tomato tin with a little red wine for added moisture and flavour.

    ADD the grated carrot and zucchini, season to taste and simmer for about 1 hour, adding water when necessary.

    COOK the pasta in plenty of salted boiling water until al dente and drain.

    STIR the parsley and basil into the bolognaise sauce.

    DISH the spaghetti into serving bowls and top with the bolognaise sauce. Sprinkle with the Parmesan.

    FOOD TEAM TIP: Adding sugar to the bolognaise sauce helps to cut the acidity of the tomato.

     

    How to cook the best spaghetti bolognaise

    Serves: 6-8
    Total Time: 1 hour 20 mins

    Ingredients

    • 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil
    • 1 kg lean beef mince
    • 2 small red onions, finely chopped
    • 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
    • 5 ml (1 tsp) fresh thyme leaves
    • 2 x 410 g tins Italian chopped tomatoes
    • 2 ½ tbsp sugar
    • 60 ml (¼ cup) tomato paste
    • salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • 1 cup (250 ml) boiling water
    • 500 g spaghetti
    • 15 ml (1 tbsp) fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
    • handful fresh basil leaves, torn
    • Parmesan shavings, to serve, optional
    • 2-3 medium-size zucchini, grated
    • 1-2 large carrots, grated
    • Red wine, just enough to rinse the tomato tin

    Instructions

    1

    HEAT the oil in a heavy-based pot and brown the mince. Remove from the pan and set aside.

    2

    IN the same pan, fry the onions, garlic and thyme until soft, about 15 minutes.

    3

    ADD the tomato and paste along with the sugar. Rinse the tomato tin with a little red wine for added moisture and flavour.

    4

    ADD the grated carrot and zucchini, season to taste and simmer for about 1 hour, adding water when necessary.

    5

    COOK the pasta in plenty of salted boiling water until al dente and drain.

    6

    STIR the parsley and basil into the bolognaise sauce.

    7

    DISH the spaghetti into serving bowls and top with the bolognaise sauce. Sprinkle with the Parmesan.

    Made this recipe? Tag us @foodandhomesa #CookingWithFH on Instagram!

    ALSO SEE: Quick hacks for a better, healthier pasta

    Quick hacks for a better, healthier pasta