Rich Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

Indulge in a comforting and hearty meal with this classic Spaghetti Bolognese recipe. Made with tender Irish round steak mince and a rich tomato and red wine sauce, this dish is perfect for a cozy dinner. The fresh thyme and garlic add a wonderful depth of flavor, while the Parmesan cheese provides a nice finishing touch.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 celery stick, finely chopped
• 1 large carrot, finely chopped
• 600g of Irish round steak mince
• 3 tablespoons of tomato purée
• 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
• 2 teaspoons of fresh thyme leaves
• 150ml of red wine
• 500ml of Irish beef stock
• 400g of pasta
• 50g grated Parmesan, plus extra for serving (optional)

Method

1. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrot. Fry for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
2. Add the minced beef and cook, breaking up any large clumps with a wooden spoon, until browned.
3. Stir in the tomato purée, garlic, and thyme. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Pour in the wine, if using, and increase the heat to boil off most of the alcohol. Reduce the heat, stir in the stock, and season to taste. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer gently for 1 to 1¼ hours until the meat is tender and the sauce has thickened.
4. Remove the lid and continue cooking for another 15 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti pasta to the package instructions, ensuring the water is well salted. Reserve a mugful of the cooking water, then drain the spaghetti.
5. Combine the spaghetti and sauce by adding the drained pasta to the ragu along with the Parmesan. Toss well, adding a little pasta water to help the sauce coat the spaghetti.