Here’s a recipe for Spaghetti Bolognese, with instructions and a calorie counter:
Ingredients:
- 12 oz (340g) spaghetti
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (85% lean)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes).
- Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the Bolognese Sauce:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Season the beef mixture with salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and the bay leaf.
- Add the tomato paste and stir to combine. Let it cook for about 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes, beef broth, and red wine (if using). Stir well.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken and the flavors will meld together. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Combine and Serve:
- Toss the cooked spaghetti with the Bolognese sauce in the skillet or serve the sauce over the pasta in bowls.
- Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Optional Tips:
- To make the sauce richer, you can add a splash of milk or cream toward the end of cooking.
- For extra flavor, try adding a few finely chopped mushrooms or pancetta.
- The red wine adds depth, but you can substitute it with more beef broth if you prefer not to use wine.
Calorie Counter (per serving, recipe serves 4):
- Spaghetti (12 oz): ~630 calories
- Ground beef (1 lb): ~960 calories
- Olive oil (2 tbsp): ~240 calories
- Onion (1 small): ~30 calories
- Carrot (1 medium): ~25 calories
- Celery (1 stalk): ~10 calories
- Diced tomatoes (1 can): ~80 calories
- Tomato paste (1/4 cup): ~50 calories
- Beef broth (1/2 cup): ~10 calories
- Red wine (1/2 cup, optional): ~100 calories
- Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup, optional): ~100 calories
Total Calories (without Parmesan, without wine): ~2040 calories
Calories per serving (without Parmesan, without wine): ~510 calories
Total Calories (with Parmesan, with wine): ~2250 calories
Calories per serving (with Parmesan, with wine): ~565 calories
Enjoy your rich and hearty Spaghetti Bolognese!
