This Easy Baked
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What Is Spaghetti Bolognese?
Spaghetti bolognese, also known as
Origins Of Bolognese
Bolognese sauce comes from Bologna, Italy. The first references of the dish believe to be from a cookbook titled ‘La Scienza in cucina e l’arte di mangiare bane’ which translates to mean ‘The Science of Cooking and the Art of Eating Well’. Published by Pellegrino Artusi in 1891, it came out two decades after Italy unified and was the first book to feature recipes from regions all over Italy.
Featuring lean veal, the original recipe was a little different than the recipe many of us know today, but the intent of a hearty meat-based sauce remains! Keep reading to learn more about the history and origins of authentic bolognese sauce. The exact ingredients vary from region to region, but it also features a blend of veggies, meat, and a tomato-based sauce. Personally, we’ve never met a version we didn’t love!
What Goes In Spaghetti Bolognese?
No two chefs make bolognese the same way. However, when it comes to American
- Spaghetti – Cooked to al dente, the tender pasta noodles scoop up all the sauce for the ultimate comfort food.
- Olive Oil – You’ll want to use this to coat the noodles to prevent them from clumping together. Plus, it’s super good for you!
- Pasta Sauce – Of course, you could make your own pasta sauce, but who has time for that? Easy is the name of the game around here. So, we just buy a jar!
- Ground Beef – Minced teeny tiny, this adds bulk to the sauce along with a rich, savory flavor and tons of protein to keep you full.
- Veggies – Chopped onion, diced red and green peppers, and garlic add volume, fiber, nutrients, and lots of savory flavor. Plus, they get hidden in between chunks of meat so your little ones won’t even realize that they’re eating their veggies!
- Herbs and Spices – Fresh Italian parsley, fresh basil, oregano (or Italian seasoning), salt, and pepper create an herbaceous, savory flavor that takes pre-made pasta sauce to the next level of delicious!
- Broth – This is used in place of water to cook the noodles, enhancing the baked
spaghetti bolognese recipe’s savory flavor. - Cheese – You can’t have an Italian dish without plenty of Parmesan cheese! Go crazy, and add as much as you’d like!
How to Make Baked Spaghetti Bolognese
If you know us, you know we looooove a good one pot pasta recipe! So, we transformed our traditional
- Prepare the Noodles. Add the uncooked
spaghetti to a large baking dish, and drizzle the oil on top. Rub the pasta carefully until it is completely coated. - Cook the Beef. In a large skillet, brown the beef over medium heat, and use a spatula to break it into pieces.
- Combine the Ingredients. Add all the ingredients except for the Parmesan to the baking dish, and stir until they’re well combined.
- Bake. Cover the
spaghetti bolognese recipe with aluminum foil, and bake until the noodles are al dente and the meat is cooked through. Make sure to stir halfway through! - Serve. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese on top, and serve right away while it’s still warm!
Variations
When we said there are many different ways to make bolognese, we meant it! That means there’s lots of room to play and experiment with this recipe. So, don’t be afraid to get a little creative! However, to get you started some of our favorite ways to mix things up include:
- Using Different Meat. Swap out half the beef with ground pork instead. And don’t be afraid to add Italian sausage for a bit of spice, too!
- Adding Cream. Gently stir in ½ cup or so of heavy cream after removing the bolognese bake from the oven to make it extra dreamy. Half and half works well, too!
- Including Wine. Replace all or half of the broth with red wine for a more robust, slightly sweet taste. Dry, medium-bodied varieties like Pinot Noir, Merlot, or Chianti work best.
- Adding Sugar. If your pasta sauce is a little on the bitter side, add a pinch of granulated sugar to help balance out the acidity.
Serving Suggestions
Made with meat, veggies, and pasta, this
And we can’t forget dessert! Finish off your meal with a serving of tiramisú bread pudding or crème brûlée!
How to Store and Reheat
Once combined, this easy baked
For the best results, we highly recommend storing the sauce separately from the pasta. Otherwise, it’ll become soggy, and we definitely don’t want that! Once cooled completely,
When you’re ready to eat, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat your sauce in the microwave or in a pan on the stove, and cook up a fresh batch of
Common Questions About This Baked Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe
To get close to traditional bolognese, you’ll we recommend using chuck beef! It’s fatty enough to add lots of flavor yet lean enough so that it’s not super overpowering.
Okay, stay with us, this explanation can get a little confusing! Bolognese sauce is a type of ragù, but ragù is not bolognese. It consists of a combination of meat, tomatoes, herbs, spices, and sometimes wine or cream.
Meanwhile,
Most authentic bolognese recipes call for milk or cream. It helps thicken the sauce and adds a rich, creamy flavor, but that’s not all it does! Milk also contains lactic acid which helps break down the proteins and collagen in the beef, making it extra tender and tasty.
Sure! Just swap out the regular
More Baked Pasta Recipes
If you’re a pasta lover like us, you won’t want to miss out on more of these easy baked comfort food pasta recipes!
Baked Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces spaghetti uncooked
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 16 ounce jar pasta sauce
- 12 ounces ground beef cooked
- ½ yellow onion chopped
- ½ cup red bell peppers diced
- ½ cup green bell peppers diced
- ½ cup fresh Italian parsley chopped
- ½ cup fresh basil chopped
- 3 cups broth chicken or vegetable
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese shavings for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375° F.
- Cook the beef in a skillet over medium heat until browned, using a spatula to break it into pieces.
- In a large baking dish, add the uncooked spaghetti. Drizzle the olive oil on top, and gently rub it over the pasta until it is completely coated. (This helps prevent the spaghetti from sticking together.)
- Add all the ingredients to a 9×13 baking dish except for the Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine.
- Cover, and bake 45-50 minutes or until the meat is cooked through, the veggies are tender, and the spaghetti is al dente, stirring halfway through.
- Garnish with Parmesan cheese, and serve warm.
- Store the sauce separately from the spaghetti in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Video
Equipment
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Loved it! Super easy! Thank you xx
Looks great!I make your oven baked spaghetti all the time. For this recipe though….what kind of broth is best to use ( beef, chicken, veg)? Thank you!
We used chicken, but you can definitely use any!
I love spaghetti and these are good recipes. Simple and easy.
So glad to hear!
Looks super yummy. Excited to try