Creative Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe Featuring Delicious Meatballs for a Flavorful Dinner Experience

How to Make Spaghetti Bolognese with Meatballs

Spaghetti Bolognese is a classic Italian dish that has gained immense popularity around the world. Its rich flavors, comforting texture, and satisfying nature make it a favorite in many households. While traditional Bolognese sauce is typically served without meatballs, adding them can elevate this dish to new heights, creating a hearty and delicious meal. Here’s how to make spaghetti Bolognese with meatballs that will impress your family and friends.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs - 500g ground beef - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped - 1 egg - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

For the Bolognese Sauce - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 onion, finely chopped - 2 carrots, finely diced - 2 celery sticks, finely diced - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes - 2 tablespoons tomato paste - 1/2 cup red wine (optional) - 1 teaspoon sugar - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

For the Spaghetti - 400g spaghetti - Salt for boiling water

Instructions

Step 1 Prepare the Meatballs

Start by making the meatballs. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, parsley, egg, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Mix all the ingredients together until they are well incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.

Once mixed, shape the mixture into small balls, about an inch in diameter. Place the meatballs on a plate and set them aside while you prepare the sauce.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the meatballs to the skillet in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook the meatballs for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally until they are browned on all sides. They don’t need to be fully cooked at this stage since they will finish cooking in the sauce. Once browned, transfer them to a plate.

Step 3 Make the Bolognese Sauce

In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil if needed, and throw in the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté the vegetables for about 5-7 minutes until they are softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Next, pour in the red wine (if using) and let it simmer for a couple of minutes to reduce slightly. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a simmer and then gently place the browned meatballs back into the skillet. Cover and let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the meatballs to cook through.

Step 4 Cook the Spaghetti

While the sauce is simmering, cook the spaghetti according to the instructions on the package. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil, add the spaghetti, and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve some of the pasta water in case you want to adjust the sauce's consistency later.

Step 5 Combine and Serve

Once the sauce is ready, give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little bit of the reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency.

To serve, place a portion of spaghetti on each plate, spoon the meatball and Bolognese sauce generously over the top, and garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

This spaghetti Bolognese with meatballs is sure to become a family favorite. Not only is it delicious, but it also offers a wonderful way to bring people together at the dinner table. Enjoy your comforting and flavorful meal!