By: Jill Mills Posted: Jul 18, 2025

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Ground beef and ground pork are simmered in a rich, lightly creamy tomato sauce in this Spaghetti Bolognese recipe. An Italian classic that can be made at home in just 2 hours! Serve with garlic bread and a side salad.

Spaghetti bolognese is not just spaghetti meat sauce! Both are wonderful but bolognese is a specific Italian dish, typically made with ground beef and ground pork and a splash of milk or cream in a tomato sauce. My family loves both, though we’ve been making this spaghetti bolognese recipe pretty frequently lately. It’s so good and so easy. Even though it needs to simmer for at least 90 minutes, much of the recipe is hands-off. Plus it’s hearty enough to fill up hungry teen boys!

Why This Is My Favorite Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

Flavorful sauce. The sauce is the key to a good spaghetti bolognese and this recipe delivers. The sauce is cooked in the same pan as the meat, with red wine, tomato paste and sauce, whole milk, and herbs. It’s lightly creamy and simmering it for at least 90 minutes results in layers of flavor.
Ready in 2 hours. Some bolognese sauce recipes simmer for several hours but, frankly, I don’t have time for that most days. I’ve found that 90 minutes to 2 hours is the perfect range for a rich, flavorful sauce – and most of that time is completely hands-off!
Two types of meat. I used both ground pork and ground beef in my sauce. While some recipes use one or the other, using both adds even more flavor to the dish.

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make spaghetti bolognese

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s an overview of the ingredients needed to make this traditional spaghetti bolognese sauce. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.

Olive oil
Veggies – Carrot, celery, and onion add flavor and texture to the recipe.
Ground meat – I used equal parts ground beef and ground pork in my spaghetti bolognese. I recommend using a lean ground beef.
Red wine – Used to deglaze the pan and begin the sauce.
Tomato paste – Adds a rich tomato flavor to the sauce.
Tomato sauce – The base of the sauce.
Whole milk – Adds creaminess to the sauce. I don’t recommend skim milk as it may make the sauce too thin.
Herbs & spices – Bay leaves, salt, and black pepper.
Spaghetti – For serving.

How To Make Spaghetti Bolognese

The secret to a good bolognese is letting it simmer for at least 90 minutes, so be sure to leave plenty of time for that. The printable instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

Ground pork, beef, and veggies cooking in a skillet

Tomato sauce added to cooked ground meat

Saute the veggies. Cook the carrot, onion, and celery in the olive oil until softened, about 5 minutes.
Cook the meat. Add the ground meats to the pan, using a wooden spoon to break them up. Cook until browned.
Make the sauce. Add the red wine to the pan, stirring to deglaze the pan, then simmer for 2-3 minutes, until it reduces slightly. Stir in the tomato paste, mixing well, then add the tomato sauce. Stir in the milk, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
Simmer. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Partially cover the pan and cook over low for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occassionally.
Cook the spaghetti. Towards the end, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
Serve. Remove the bay leaves from the sauce. Serve over the cooked spaghetti. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

Here are a few ways to customize this spaghetti bolognese recipe, plus a general tip or two.

Red wine alternatives. If you don’t have red wine or prefer an alcohol-free dish, substitute with beef or vegetable broth.
Thicken the sauce. For a thicker sauce, use crushed tomatoes instead of tomato sauce.
Add more seasonings. You can also add a pinch of dried oregano or thyme for extra depth of flavor.
Simmer low and slow. The key to a super flavorful bolognese sauce is to give it plenty of time to simmer. I recommend at least 90 minutes, though 2 hours is great too. Rushing this process will result in missing out on a lot of the great flavor!

Overhead view of a plate of spaghetti bolognese

Serving Suggestions

I like to top the bolognese sauce with freshly grated Parmesan cheese or Pecorino Romano for added flavor. A sprinkle of finely chopped fresh parsley or basil can brighten up the dish as well.

It pairs perfectly with a crisp green salad dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Add some crusty French bread or cheesy garlic bread on the side to soak up the sauce.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers

Fridge. Allow the bolognese sauce to cool completely before storing. Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Reheat. Reheat leftovers on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or water to loosen the sauce if it has thickened. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. Alternatively, microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through.