Spaghetti bolognese is one of the simplest midweek meals you can prepare to feed a crowd. While most home cooks stick to easy and quick recipes, some small tweaks can drastically change the flavour and texture of this classic pasta sauce. This recipe adds three ingredients to enhance and balance all the flavours, resulting in a delicious meal for five that cooks in just 30 minutes.
Sharing it on her food blog, RecipeTin Eats writer Nagi Maehashi said: “My everyday Bolognese recipe I make over and over again. This Meat Sauce has terrific depth of flavour for such a quick recipe – though if you have the time, it’s stellar cooked slowly for a couple of hours. My three ‘secret’ tips are: Worcestershire Sauce, Beef Bouillon Cubes and a touch of sugar.”
How to make homemade bolognese sauce more flavourful
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- Two garlic cloves, minced
- One onion, finely chopped
- 500g beef mince
- Half a cup (125 ml) dry red wine
- Two beef bouillon cubes, crumbled or granulated beef bouillon
- 800g can crushed tomato (or tomato passata)
- Two tbsp tomato paste
- Two tsp white sugar
- Two tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Two dried bay leaves
- Two sprigs fresh thyme (or half a tsp dried thyme or oregano)
- 3/4 tsp cooking salt (kosher salt)
- Half a tsp black pepper
Method
Heat oil in a large pot or deep pan over a medium-high flame. Once hot, add the onion and garlic, cooking for about three minutes or until they become soft and lightly golden. Increase the heat to high and add the beef, breaking it apart as it cooks, until it is well browned.
Pour in the red wine, stirring to incorporate. Let it simmer for a minute, scraping the bottom of the pot, allowing the alcohol to evaporate.
Introduce the remaining ingredients, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer before lowering the heat to medium to maintain a gentle bubble. Allow to cook uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding water if the sauce thickens too much.
For a slow-cooked variation – this method is recommended as it elevates the dish if time allows: Add 3/4 cup of water, cover with a lid, and let it simmer on very low heat for two to 2.5 hours, stirring every half hour. Once done, uncover and simmer for an additional 20 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
Taste the sauce and add more salt if needed. Serve over spaghetti and enjoy.
