Spaghetti Bolognese DOES NOT EXIST in Italy
Instead, here is the delicious real version...
I guess many people will be shocked to find out that the most "Italian" of all Italian recipes: Spaghetti Bolognese isn't even Italian - let alone "Bolognese". In fact you won't find this dish in any self-respecting restaurant, home or even office canteen in Bologna. In Italy, it goes the way of Pasta Alfredo or Hawaiian Pizza - out the door never to be invited back.
So what do the good folks of Bologna eat instead?
Well, they've a far better alternative called Tagliatelle alla Bolognese. It is absolutely wonderful.
Once you've tried it I bet you'll banish Spaghetti Bolognese from your table forever.
Photo for illustrative purposes only. In reality mix the tagliatelle with the sauce before serving.
Tagliatelle alla Bolognese
Ingredients
- 450 grams/1 pound of egg tagliatelle (fresh is best if you can find it)
- 7 oz/200 g ground/minced beef
- 7 oz/200 g ground/minced pork
- 2 cups tomato paste (passata di pomodoro)
- 1 stick of celery - thinly diced
- 1 thinly diced carrot
- 1 finely chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- pinch of sea salt to taste
- 1/2 cup dry white wine.
- 5 basil leaves.
- Grana Padano cheese for serving (use as per your taste - I like lots)
Cooking Instructions
For the ragù (Sauce)
The Bolognese sauce is best prepared the day before and left overnight to allow the tastes to infuse.
- In a large, thick-bottomed, pot heat the olive oil.
- Add in the onion and let them brown;
- next the carrots,
- then the celery and basil.
- Allow to cook, with the lid on, for five minutes.
- Add in the mince,
- once the mince has begun to dry out add in the wine.
- When the wine evaporates, pour in the tomato sauce.
- Salt to taste.
- Cover and cook on a low heat for at least two hours and stir regularly with a wooden spoon.
- The aroma is wonderful, so family members are likely to want a taste... chase them away with the wooden spoon.
For the Pasta
- Boil water in a pot.
- Once boiling add coarse salt.
- Cook for a few minutes less than the packet says or, if fresh, until the pasta floats to the surface.
- Drain and mix with the sauce in the sauce pot for a minute.
Serve with the grated cheese (Grana Padano).
Print Recipe
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