Need dinner on the table, quickly? This Quick and Easy Bolognese recipe is right up your alley. Get dinner on the table sooner, rather than later.
This Quick and Easy Bolognese is a great way to quickly get dinner on the table. This sauce is inspired my father’s spaghetti sauce. Growing up in the South, the only pasta I ever had was spaghetti with meat sauce. After moving up North I was introduced to so many wonderful Italian dishes, and none of them really tasted like the “spaghetti” that I grew up eating.
My kids request that my dad make this for them when they visit North Carolina. They call it, “Big Daddy Spaghetti”. Yes, they call my father Big Daddy… 
My favorite thing about this sauce is that it is quick and easy. If you are really in a hurry, (or just lazy that night), you could sub in a jar of your favorite marinara for the tomato sauce, red wine, salt, pepper, dried basil, and dried oregano.
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Quick and Easy Bolognese
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
Dinners ready in under 30 minutes!
This simple Bolognese is perfect for a weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lbs (454 g) ground beef
- 1 large sweet onion
- 1 cup (237 ml) sliced mushrooms
- 5 cloves (2 Tbs) minced garlic
- 2 cans (850 g) tomato sauce
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black ground pepper
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 cups (118 ml) red wine
- 1/4 cups (60 ml) fresh basil
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef over medium heat in a Dutch oven or a wide skillet with tall sides.
- Before the beef is finished browning, add the onion and sauté until it turns translucent and begins to soften, about 3 minutes.
- Add the mushrooms and sauté until they lose most of their moisture and soften.
- Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add tomato sauce, red wine, salt, pepper, dried basil, and dried oregano. Stir to combine.
- Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring often.
- Turn off the burner, stir in the fresh basil, and serve.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, brown the beef in batches to ensure it crisps properly.
- If you don’t have red wine, substitute an equal amount of beef broth.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 25
- Cholesterol: 80
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I substitute jarred marinara sauce for the tomato sauce in the Quick and Easy Bolognese?
Yes, you can substitute jarred marinara for the tomato sauce, red wine, salt, pepper, dried basil, and dried oregano to save time.
What type of meat works best for the Quick and Easy Bolognese?
Ground beef is commonly used, but you can also use ground turkey or a mix of meats for different flavors.
How long does the sauce need to simmer for the best flavor?
While this recipe is quick, allowing the sauce to simmer for at least 15-20 minutes will help the flavors meld together.
Where is the spaghetti???