Jamie Oliver Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

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Jamie Oliver’s Spaghetti Bolognese recipe has been my favorite for years. It is a classic dish that combines the rich and savory flavors of a meat-based sauce with pasta.

Right from the first time I tried this recipe, I have enjoyed every step, from browning the meat and deglazing it with wine to letting the sauce simmer for hours to develop delicious flavors. Moreover, the velvety consistency of the sauce is just mind-blowing.

Therefore, I suggest you try this recipe as soon as possible to enjoy a delectable Italian feast. This Jamie Oliver Spaghetti Bolognese is suitable for any occasion, whether you are hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, a Christmas party, or a cozy date night.

The most interesting thing about this recipe is that it is also kid-friendly and a perfect option for picky eaters. So, come along with me as I share this recipe with you.

What's In The Post

Equipment Required

Large Skillet or Frying Pan: You will need a skillet or pan to fry the ingredients.
Spatula: I usually grab a wooden spatula to stir up everything and break down the meat.
Saucepan: I use a saucepan to simmer my sauce to perfection.
Sharp Knife: I recommend using a sharp knife to chop veggies and other ingredients.
Cutting Board: This will serve as a base for cutting the ingredients.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: I grab some measuring cups and spoons to accurately measure the ingredients.

Jamie Oliver’s Bolognese Ingredients And Substitutions

Note: The ingredients listed below will make 6 servings. You can increase or decrease the quantity of ingredients as needed.

2 Cloves of Garlic: I often substitute garlic powder or paste for fresh garlic if I don’t have fresh garlic in hand.
1 Onion: Whenever I run out of onions, I use onion powder instead. You can also use shallots or leeks.
2 Sprigs Of Fresh Rosemary: Dried rosemary also works fine as a substitute.
6 Rashers Dry-Cured Higher-Welfare Smoked Streaky Bacon: If you do not have smoked streaky bacon, then you can opt for regular bacon, pancetta, or even turkey bacon.
Olive Oil: I recommend using vegetable or canola oil if you are out of olive oil.
500g Minced Beef: Whenever I need an alternative, I use ground chicken, ground turkey, or a mix of pork and beef.
200 ml Red Wine: You can also use red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar as substitutes.
1*280 g Jar Of Sun-Dried Tomatoes
2*400 g Tins Of Plum Tomatoes: Short of plum tomatoes? Crushed tomatoes or diced tomatoes will just do the trick.
500 g Dried Spaghetti: If you are out of spaghetti, feel free to use any other pasta shape of your choice.
Parmesan Cheese: Grana Padano or Pecorino Romano are good substitutes for Parmesan.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I use regular olive oil or a mild vegetable oil as a substitute when extra virgin olive oil is unavailable.

Preparing And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
15 Minutes	1 Hour 30 Minutes	1 Hour 45 Minutes

How To Make Jamie Oliver’s Bolognese At Home

Step 1

Take a large, deep skillet and add olive oil. Then add the chopped garlic and rosemary sprigs.

Step 2

Once the garlic turns golden brown, add smoked bacon to the skillet.

Step 3

Then add the chopped onions to the pan and sauté until they turn light brown.

Step 4

Now add the minced beef and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Step 5

Add red wine and stir the mixture.

Step 6

Now add cherry tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes.

Step 7

Leave it to cook for at least an hour.

Step 8

In another pan, bring the spaghetti to a boil.

Step 9

After the spaghetti is cooked, add it to the saucepan and coat it well with the beef mixture.

Step 10

Gently fold in the spaghetti, then add olive oil and Parmesan cheese.

Step 11

Your yummy Bolognese is ready to be served.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

I take a lot of time to brown the minced beef. This step adds a lot of flavor and depth to my sauce.
To give the bolognese a creamy finish, I add a splash of milk, which not only tenderizes my meat but also adds a rich, velvety texture.
I recommend you let your sauce simmer for over an hour. The longer it cooks, the more time it takes for the flavors to meld, turning your dish into something delicious.
After cooking the bacon, I sauté the veggies in the bacon fat. This adds an extra layer of flavor to the base of my sauce.
I suggest you use whole milk instead of low-fat milk. Whole milk gives the sauce a creamy texture.

FAQs About Jamie Oliver’s Spaghetti Bolognese

Why is the bolognese sauce too watery?

The bolognese sauce may be watery if you do not let it simmer for a longer period of time. If you allow the sauce to simmer on a low flame without covering it from the top, it will thicken.

How can you fix a thick sauce?

If your sauce is very thick, you can add water, beef, or vegetable broth to reach the desired consistency.

How can you enhance the flavor of your bolognese?

The flavor of your bolognese can be enhanced by adding ingredients like tomato paste, bay leaves, or a splash of balsamic vinegar. If you brown the meat and let it simmer in the sauce for a longer period of time, then your flavors will also be enhanced.

Why is the bolognese tasting bland?

If you add fewer seasonings than required to your bolognese, it may taste bland. So, keep tasting your bolognese and adjust the seasoning throughout the cooking process.

Why is the meat not browning properly?

The meat may not brown if the pan is not hot enough. So, make sure that the temperature of the pan is preheated properly.

How can you prevent your bolognese from burning?

You can prevent your bolognese from burning by cooking it on a medium-low flame and stirring it at regular intervals. You can also use a heavy-bottomed pot to distribute the heat evenly, which will prevent burning.

How can you make your bolognese more kid-friendly?

To make your bolognese kid-friendly, chop the vegetables so fine that they are unnoticeable. Moreover, you can eliminate the wine and use tomato sauce instead.

Why is the sauce lacking in depth of flavor?

The depth of flavors develops when you use high-quality ingredients and let your sauce simmer for a longer period of time. So, make sure to brown your meat properly, use high-quality ingredients, and let the sauce simmer for at least an hour. You can also add a splash of soya sauce or Worcestershire sauce to give it an umami twist.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Jamie Oliver’s Bolognese is not really a healthier option because it is rich in calories and fat; therefore, it is best to enjoy it once in a while.

Calories	618 kcal
Fat	15.6 g
Saturates	5.7 g
Sugars	12.3 g
Salt	2.4 g
Protein	37.6 g
Carbs	78.5 g
Fibres	3.2 g

This dish is suitable for people following a high-protein and low-sugar diet.

Homemade-How-To-Make-Jamie-Oliver-Bolognese-At-Home-Recipe

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Low-Fat: I use ground turkey or chicken in place of beef. I also skip the bacon or use low-fat turkey bacon. Instead of sautéing the vegetables in olive oil, I used a little cooking spray.
Gluten-Free: I swap the regular pasta for gluten-free pasta. You can choose from many options, like brown rice or quinoa pasta.
Keto-Friendly: Skip the pasta completely and use spiralized zucchini or squash instead. Also, use full-fat cheese and add extra olive oil to keep the fat content high.
Paleo: I skip the bacon and use only ground beef. I also skip the pasta and serve the hot sauce over spiralized zucchini noodles. I use only natural ingredients, avoiding processed foods like canned tomatoes, which have some added sugar.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Refrigerator: I first allow my sauce to cool to room temperature. Then, I transfer it to an airtight container. After that, I put it in the refrigerator. This keeps my sauce fresh for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer: Whenever I want to store my sauce for a longer period, I just transfer it to freezer-safe bags or containers. I also make sure to leave some space at the top of the container to prevent spilling while defrosting. This way, this sauce can be preserved for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Stovetop: I prefer reheating the sauce in a pan. For that, I transfer the sauce to a saucepan and heat it over a low flame, stirring it gently in between. If the sauce is too thick, I add a splash of water or broth.
Microwave: Reheating the sauce is also very easy. Simply transfer the sauce to a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a microwave-safe lid. Then heat the sauce in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until it is heated through.

What To Serve With This Recipe

I like to serve this bolognese with lightly Steamed Broccoli and Szechuan Vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, zucchini, etc. They make my meals more nutritious.

I also like to complement this dish with my Quinoa Salad or Mediterranean Salad. To give a gourmet twist, I sometimes serve this bolognese with Garlic Bread.

Printable Version

More Jamie Oliver Recipes That You Can Try

Jamie Oliver Apple Crumble Recipe — Jamie Oliver Apple Crumble

How to Make Jamie Oliver Broccoli Pasta — Jamie Oliver Apple Crumble

Conclusion

This Bolognese recipe by Jamie Oliver is not only delicious but also easy to make. With just a few ingredients and equipment, you can make this flavourful delight at home. So, grab your aprons and hop to your kitchen.

After enjoying a sumptuous meal, tell us how you find this recipe in the comments section below.