Hairy Bikers Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

This Hairy Bikers Spaghetti Bolognese recipe is a rich and savory recipe, which is made with lean beef mince and a classic red wine sauce. It’s the ultimate family favorite, ready in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Hairy Bikers Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe Ingredients

• 500g lean beef mince
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 celery sticks, trimmed and finely sliced
• 2 medium carrots, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 150g small portobello or chestnut mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tbsp plain flour
• 150ml red wine
• 1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 beef stock cube
• 1 tsp caster sugar
• 1 tsp dried oregano or mixed herbs
• 2 bay leaves
• 375–450g dried spaghetti
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving

How To Make Hairy Bikers Spaghetti Bolognese

1. Dry-Fry the Mince and Veggies: Place the beef mince, onion, celery, carrots, and garlic in a large, non-stick saucepan or Dutch oven. Cook over a medium heat for 8–10 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon to break up the meat, until the beef is browned and the vegetables are softening.
2. Add Mushrooms and Thicken: Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir well to coat everything.
3. Build the Sauce: Pour in the red wine, stirring to scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, and 300ml of cold water. Crumble the beef stock cube over the top and stir in the sugar and herbs.
4. Simmer the Sauce: Season with black pepper, stir well, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce cook very gently, uncovered, for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Cook the Spaghetti: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook for 10–12 minutes, or according to the package directions, until al dente.
6. Finish and Serve: During the last 10 minutes of the spaghetti cooking, increase the heat under the sauce to let it reduce and thicken. Drain the spaghetti well, divide it among warmed bowls, and spoon the rich Bolognese sauce on top. Serve immediately with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Recipe Tips

• What does “dry-fry” mean? This technique involves browning the mince and vegetables in a non-stick pan without adding any initial oil or fat. The natural fat from the beef will render out, providing enough to cook everything beautifully.
• How do I get a rich, thick sauce? The secret is a long, slow simmer. Letting the sauce bubble away gently, uncovered, for at least 30-40 minutes allows the flavors to deepen and the liquid to reduce, resulting in a thick, not watery, ragù.
• How do I cook spaghetti perfectly? The key is to use a very large pot with plenty of heavily salted water. This gives the pasta room to move around without sticking and seasons it from the inside out.
• Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely. Bolognese sauce is one of those magical dishes that tastes even better the next day. It’s perfect for batch cooking and freezing.

What To Serve With Spaghetti Bolognese

This is a classic all-in-one meal, but it’s traditionally served with:

• Warm garlic bread
• A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette
• An extra bowl of grated Parmesan cheese for the table

How To Store Spaghetti Bolognese

• Refrigerate: Let the sauce cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Bolognese sauce freezes exceptionally well. Once cooled, transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Spaghetti Bolognese Nutrition Facts

• Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
• Calories: ~550 kcal
• Protein: 30g
• Carbohydrates: 65g
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 7g

Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Hairy Bikers Slow Cooker Lamb Tagine Recipe
• Hairy Bikers Slow Cooker Rabbit Stew Recipe

Hairy Bikers Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

Author: Alex Saidani Cooking Method:One-Pot Cuisine:Italian-American Courses:Dinner

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 15 minutesCook time:1 hour Rest time: minutesTotal time:1 hour 15 minutesCooking Temp:100 CServings:6 servingsEstimated Cost:25 $Calories:550 kcal Best Season:Available

Description

A rich, traditional, and comforting meat sauce made with beef mince, vegetables, and red wine, slow-simmered to perfection and served over spaghetti.

Ingredients

• 500g lean beef mince
• 1 onion, 2 celery sticks, 2 carrots (all finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 150g mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tbsp plain flour
• 150ml red wine
• 400g can chopped tomatoes & 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 beef stock cube, 1 tsp sugar, herbs (oregano, bay leaves)
• 375-450g dried spaghetti
• Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

1. In a large non-stick pan, dry-fry the mince, onion, celery, carrots, and garlic for 8-10 minutes until browned.
2. Add the mushrooms and cook for 3 more minutes.
3. Stir in the flour, then add the red wine, tomatoes, tomato purée, and 300ml of water.
4. Crumble in the stock cube and add the sugar and herbs.
5. Simmer gently, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes, until the sauce is thick.
6. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions.
7. Serve the hot sauce over the drained spaghetti with a generous grating of Parmesan cheese.

Notes

• Dry-frying the mince without oil is a great way to start the sauce with less fat.
• A long, slow simmer is the secret to a rich, deeply flavorful Bolognese.
• Don’t be afraid to season the sauce well with salt and pepper at the end of cooking.
• This sauce is even better the next day and freezes perfectly.