Spaghetti Alla Bolognese Recipe
Spaghetti alla bolognese is a popular Italian-inspired recipe, also known as ragù alla Bolognese, a classic pasta with a meaty, hearty sauce. We love to serve it with spaghetti pasta.
The beauty of Bolognese is taking your time in making this rich, sauce. Traditionally it’s made with ground beef, but we also love it made with ground turkey, which is a bit leaner.
Spaghetti Alla Bolognese Recipe
This recipe has been on my blog since 2013! It’s delicious made with ground turkey, and we’ve also added pancetta and red wine! Better yet, the process of making this Bolognese in a Smart Skillet turns the sauce into a nice dark color, full of richness as it cooks.
This ragu sauce is very simple and does not need a lot of tending to.
Traditionally, the bolognese sauce benefits from very slow cooking, over 1-2 hours.
Rich and comforting, this Best Spaghetti Bolognese cooks beautifully in our Smart Skillet that sits right on the kitchen counter. Better yet, this Best Spaghetti Bolognese has the robust flavor of an authentic ragu, with meat and veggies that are slowly and lovingly cooked to perfection.
And if you love comforting pasta dishes as much as I do, you’ll love this Classic Spaghetti Bake with Mozzarella, Spaghetti and Meatballs recipe, or our super popular Italian Spaghetti Salad.
Ingredients for Best Spaghetti Bolognese
Dried herbs gives this sauce the best flavor! Gather these ingredients and get started!
- Veggies: carrots + onion + garlic + celery + bell pepper
- Olive oil
- Ground turkey: you can also use ground beef, ground pork, or a mix of both
- Kosher salt + pepper
- Pancetta
- Tomato paste
- Whole peeled tomatoes
- Red wine
- Chicken stock: you can use low sodium if you prefer
- Whole milk
- Dried oregano, thyme, plus one bay leaf
- Favorite pasta; we use spaghetti
- Grated Parmesan
- Fresh parsley
What is Bolognese meat sauce made of?
Bolognese sauce comes from the Bologna region of Italy and is made with ground beef and ground pork, although other ground meats can be used. We used ground turkey, but it’s great to mix the meats. Bolognese is slow-cooked with tomatoes and mire piox (made of onions, carrots, and celery), and milk.
How do you make Smart Skillet Spaghetti Bolognese?
- Select the sear/saute mode on the Essential Smart Skillet, setting the temperature to 400°F. Or if you are using the stovetop, follow the instructions until the sauce is made. Optional to cook in Smart Skillet, on stovetop (simmered), or in a slow cooker.
- Finely chop vegetables (carrots, onions, garlic, celery, pepper) and set aside. TIP: You can use a food processor for this.
- Pour the olive oil into the Smart Skillet and allow it to come to temperature. Once the oil is shimmering, add the ground turkey to the pan and break into large pieces with a wooden spoon. Season generously with salt and pepper and allow it to sear. Lightly stir the meat until browned on the second side.
- TIP: It’s ok if the ground turkey isn’t fully cooked. Remove from the Smart Skillet and transfer it to a large bowl. Leave the fat in the Smart Skillet.
- Add the pancetta to the pan and cook five to six minutes, stirring regularly, or until crispy and well browned.
Next …
- Add to the Smart Skillet with the browned pancetta, the chopped vegetables and tomato paste. Cook and stir regularly, or until the vegetables have softened. Add the whole tomatoes (in juice) and cook additional two minutes.
- Add the seared ground turkey back to the Smart Skillet along with any liquid accumulated in the bottom of the bowl. Pour in the red wine and stir everything to equally combine. Select the simmer mode on the Smart Skillet, set the temperature to 180°F and the timer for an hour and a half.
- Cook, uncovered for ten minutes.
- Add in the oregano, thyme, bay leaf, stock and milk, stirring until equally combined. Taste, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as necessary.
Cover and cook and walk away
Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until meat is tender and the sauce has thickened. If needed to reduce the sauce, uncover and cook for more time.
Discard the bay leaf. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning one final time with salt and pepper.
Cook the pasta
Fifteen minutes before serving, cook the pasta according to the package directions; drain and return to the pot. TIP: One minute less will make the pasta al dente.
How do you serve bolognese
Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta, with a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan cheese.
Optional to garnish with finely chopped parsley.
Tips and substitutions:
- For this bolognese recipe, you can add a tablespoon or two of sugar, for a little extra sweetness.
- Add a splash of Worcestershire or even some soy.
- Use your favorite protein: ground turkey, chicken, beef, or pork. Or you can add a mix of any of them.
TO STORE: Store in airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
ENJOY!
More spaghetti recipes to try:
Spaghetti and Meatballs Epic Dinner Board
Spaghetti Bake with Mozzarella
Get the Recipe:
Spaghetti alla bolognese recipe
Ingredients
- 3 carrots, finely chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic, pressed or chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 1 pepper, finely chopped (orange, yellow, or red)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 lb ground, white turkey
- 1 tsp each kosher salt and pepper
- 3 oz pancetta, finely chopped
- 1 can tomato paste
- 1 28 oz can whole, peeled tomatoes
- ½ cup red wine
- 1 cup low sodium chicken stock
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 lb spaghetti pasta
- Grated Parmesan
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
Optional to use a Smart Skillet or a large skillet on stovetop:
- Select the sear/saute mode on the Smart Skillet, setting the temperature to 400°F and the timer for 15 minutes.
- Finely chop vegetables (carrots, onions, garlic, celery, pepper) and set aside. TIP: You can use a food processor for this.
- Pour the olive oil into the Smart Skillet (or stovetop skillet) and allow it to come to temperature. Once the oil is shimmering, add the ground turkey to the pan and break into large pieces with a wooden spoon. Season generously with salt and pepper and allow it to sear, without stirring, for about 3 minutes. Lightly stir the meat for 3 minutes, until browned on the second side. TIP: It’s ok if the ground turkey isn’t fully cooked. Remove from the Smart Skillet and transfer it to a large bowl. Leave the fat in the Smart Skillet.
- Add the pancetta to the pan and cook 5 to 6 minutes, stirring regularly, or until crispy and well browned.
- Add to the Smart Skillet with the browned pancetta, the chopped vegetables and tomato paste. Cook and stir regularly, for another 6 to 8 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened. Add the whole tomatoes (in juice) and cook additional 2 minutes.
- Add the seared ground turkey back to the Smart Skillet along with any liquid accumulated in the bottom of the bowl. Pour in the red wine and stir everything to equally combine. Select the simmer mode on the Smart Skillet, setting the temperature to 180°F and the timer for 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Cook, uncovered for 10 minutes.
- Add in the oregano, thyme, bay leaf, stock and milk, stirring until equally combined. Taste, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as necessary.
Cook in Smart Skillet, slow cooker, or stovetop:
- Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, 1 hour, or until the beef is very tender and the sauce has thickened considerably. If needed to reduce the sauce, uncover and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- Discard the bay leaf. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning one final time with salt and pepper.
Cook the pasta:
- Fifteen minutes before serving, cook the pasta according to the package directions; drain and return to the pot. TIP: One minute less will make the pasta al dente.
- Serve the sauce over your favorite pasta, with a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan cheese.
- Optional to garnish with finely chopped parsley.
Notes
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
