The BEST Spaghetti Bolognese E-V-E-R

@seattlehanddoc
Father of 5, Orthopedic Surgeon, Chief of Ortho Surgery Swedish Med Center, Board Director Proliance Surgeons, Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle
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Updated: 5/12/2025
1 hour 20 minutes Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 1 hour
Serves: 12 Save

Ingredients (18)

  • ¾ cup olive oil
  • 20 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
  • 3-ounce box fresh basil, leaves removed from stems
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • ⅓ cup olive oil, or more as needed
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • ¼ teaspoon salt, or more to taste
  • 10 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced small
  • 4 large carrots, diced small
  • 2 stalks celery, diced small
  • 2 tablespoons dried tarragon
  • 1 heaping tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 heaping tablespoon dried basil
  • 4.5 ounces tomato paste
  • 4 cups chicken broth (such as Better Than Bouillon)
  • 3 Parmesan cheese rinds

Directions

  1. Tomato Basil Sauce Base: Pour ¾ cup olive oil into a large pot. Turn heat to medium-high, add 20 cloves minced garlic, whole peeled tomatoes, and 1 tablespoon salt to pot; bring to a boil and simmer, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Puree tomato mixture using an immersion blender. Continue cooking until tomato sauce is slightly reduced and very fragrant, 10 to 15 minutes more. Add fresh basil to the tomato sauce and continue cooking on low heat until basil is wilted, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove tomato basil sauce from heat.
  2. Bolognese Base: Heat ⅓ cup olive oil in a separate pot over medium heat. Add ground beef and ¼ teaspoon salt; cook, breaking up beef, until beef has turned light brown, 5 to 10 minutes. Add remaining 10 cloves garlic, onion, carrots, and celery stir for 30 seconds. Add tarragon, oregano, and dried basil, combine well. Cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste. Combine well. Cook for 1 minute more.
  3. Bolognese Sauce: Pour about half the fresh tomato basil sauce into the Bolognese base; mix well. Add chicken broth, mixing well. Add Parmesan rinds and continue to cook until flavors combine and desired consistency is reached, about 10 minutes. Remove Parmesan rinds before eating and season with salt to taste.