Spaghetti Bolognese

Spaghetti Bolognese

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) ground beef
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 pound (450g) spaghetti
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions:

1. Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until it's browned. Remove any excess fat.

2. Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

3. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for a couple of minutes to enhance the flavor.

4. If using red wine, pour it into the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes until it's reduced by half.

5. Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. In a separate pot, cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

7. Just before serving, add the whole milk and ground nutmeg to the Bolognese sauce. Stir well and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.

8. Serve the Bolognese sauce over the cooked spaghetti. Top with grated Parmesan cheese and enjoy!

You can adjust the seasonings to your taste and add more Parmesan cheese if desired. Spaghetti Bolognese is a classic and hearty Italian dish that's perfect for a comforting meal.