Smart Skillet Spaghetti Bolognese
Our best ever Spaghetti Bolognese is super easy, made in the Smart Skillet; a true Italian classic with a meaty, hearty sauce.
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.
Smart Skillet Spaghetti Bolognese
This recipe has been on my blog since 2013! We love this recipe made with ground turkey, and we’ve also added pancetta and red wine! Better yet, the process of making this Bolognese in our new Smart Skillet turns the sauce into a nice dark color, full of richness as it cooks. [Keep reading for more info on the Smart Skillet.]
Rich and comforting, this Best Spaghetti Bolognese cooks beautifully in our new 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!
- Carrots + onion + garlic + celery + bell pepper
- Olive oil
- Ground turkeyKosher 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.
- 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.
The new Smart Skillet at the House of Hyacinth
Friends, we have a new product in our House of Hyacinth store that I’m so excited about. Welcome, the new Smart Skillet.
The Smart Skillet is the most versatile tool in in my kitchen these days. Whether you’re making stew, soup, or searing a steak, this family-sized six-quart pan gives you room for a good size meal.
Do everything on the counter
This versatile skillet delivers quick and even heating for high-heat searing, stir-fry, rice, steaming, soup and so much more. Here are the ten modes: Stir-Fry, Sauce, Soup, Steam, Simmer, Warm, Sear/Sauté, White Rice, Brown Rice, Grains.
It’s sort of like our mom’s elecric skillet, except it does a lot more!
Here are some nice features:
- Removable six quart pot – which I love. You can remove it and take it right to the table! Easy for washing, too.
- Ten easy preset buttons. Save the setting for when you repeat your favorite recipe!
- A tempered glass lid lets you keep an eye on the recipe.
- The skillet is dishwasher safe!
- It has a heat-resistant base. The cast-in element also heats quickly and evenly while eliminating hot and cold spots.
- The nonstick coating is toxin-free. All you need is a plug! The coating is extra tough, and cleans easily.
- It’s countertop-friendly, as it has a heat-resistant base, with firm silicone feet, to prevent sliding around on the countertop.
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.
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
Get the Recipe:
Smart Skillet Spaghetti Bolognese
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 package favorite pasta
- Grated Parmesan
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
