Spaghetti Bolognese recipes

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Spaghetti Bolognese is unquestionably much easier to make than it looks and you don't need a large quantity of extravagant ingredients to create this fantastic meal. A genuine Italian dish which is enjoyed across the world, mastering a spaghetti Bolognese recipe is a sure-fire way to impress your friends and family.

What to do

To create a fantastic Bolognese sauce you'll first need to prepare some mince. This should be cooked inside a pan until brown. Stir vigorously to prevent it burning and to remove any lumps. Drain the fat which is produced during this stage to make sure you dinner is healthy and to stop it becoming too oily.

To give your sauce plenty of flavour, vegetables ought to be added. Chopped onions enhance the mince perfectly and should be put into the pan right after the mince is browned. A succulent red or even green pepper can also be cut and put into the pan – giving the dish plenty of colour and little spice.

Add a marinade of tomato puree and common spices such as basil before simmering. Whilst this is happening, place a few spaghetti strands inside a pot of boiling water. Make sure you cook this thoroughly and drain the water when you are ready to serve.

You can enhance the recipe in a number of ways by adding extra ingredients. Always think of what other vegetables you can use and try to match these to the style of the dish. Adding more pepper or a pinch of chilli can give spaghetti Bolognese a spicier taste but should be used with caution to avoid overpowering the other flavours.

How to serve

As soon as the pasta and minced beef mixture is ready you can serve the dish. There are many ways to do this but the traditional form has the pasta put onto the plate first with the meat and sauce mixture heaped in the centre.

Remember to sprinkle lots of freshly grated parmesan cheese on the top and season with lashing of black pepper. A couple of basil leaves can also be arranged in the centre to improve presentation.

To accompany this dish, a glass of red wine is perfect – and you can even add some of the wine to your sauce when cooking. Other traditional sides such as garlic bread should be served with the Bolognese and you can add grated cheese to these as well if you want.

For those concerned about their fat intake, using low fat meat or vegetarian alternatives is a great way to make the dish healthier. Avoid adding additional salt and always use fresh produce to ensure you create a meal which is both healthy and delicious.

Remember that these principles can be applied to all recipes and dishes – regardless of their origins or ingredients. Even popular meals such as chilli con carne can be made healthier by substituting some of the ingredients for lower-fat alternatives and using different spices is a great way to ensure the flavour is not diminished.