Fast Spaghetti Bolognese
Ingredients
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion
finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves
finely chopped
- 1/2 pound ground beef
pork or dark meat turkey, preferably 20 percent fat
- 12 ounces spaghetti
pappardelle or other long pasta
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Grated Parmesan
for serving
Directions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add onion, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until beginning to soften, 3 minutes. Add beef and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 3 minutes.
- 2
Add pasta to the pot and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- 3
Meanwhile, add tomato paste to skillet and cook, stirring, until darkened, about 1 minute. Add 1 cup water, Worcestershire, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes.
- 4
Using tongs, transfer pasta directly from the pot to the skillet along with 1 cup pasta water. Increase heat to high and simmer vigorously, tossing, until sauce reduces and coats the pasta, about 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with Parmesan.
Fast Spaghetti Bolognese
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About this Recipe
Craving a deeply satisfying spaghetti Bolognese but short on time? This "Fast Spaghetti Bolognese" recipe delivers rich, savory flavor in a fraction of the usual time, perfect for any weeknight.
What’s the secret to this ultrafast Bolognese? It's the Worcestershire sauce. This often-overlooked condiment, with its blend of vinegar, molasses, and anchovies, acts as a powerhouse ingredient, seasoning the ground meat with layers of salt, acidity, sweetness, and that essential savory funk all in one go. You'll also love the simple technique of transferring the pasta directly from its pot to the skillet, letting the starchy cooking liquid create a beautifully glossy, cohesive sauce.
Prepare for a hearty, flavorful dish that tastes like it simmered all day. The finely chopped onion and garlic lay a robust foundation, while the tomato paste provides concentrated sweetness. The ground meat—whether beef, pork, or dark meat turkey—absorbs the complex flavors from the Worcestershire sauce, creating a deeply savory, umami-rich Bolognese. The final touch of starchy pasta water ensures every strand of spaghetti or pappardelle is coated in a luscious, glossy sauce that clings perfectly, making each bite incredibly satisfying.
Feel free to customize this speedy Bolognese to your liking. Swap out the ground beef for ground pork or dark meat turkey to change the flavor profile slightly. You can also use different long pastas like pappardelle for a more substantial bite, or stick with classic spaghetti. For a vegetarian twist, consider using a mushroom-based mince with extra umami seasonings.
This Fast Spaghetti Bolognese is ideal for a comforting, yet quick, family dinner. Serve it generously topped with plenty of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of salty, nutty goodness.