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Spicy Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

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4.4 from 12 reviews

This Spicy Spaghetti Bolognese blends a rich, homemade meat sauce with a flavorful kick of chili paste, complemented by smoked turkey strips and a blend of beef and lamb. Simmered with puréed tomatoes, aromatic vegetables, and finished with Parmesan and milk for a creamy texture, this classic Italian-inspired dish is perfect for a hearty family dinner in just 45 minutes.

Ingredients

Spaghetti

  • 14 ounces spaghetti

Meat Sauce

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium carrot, finely diced
  • 1 celery stalk, finely diced
  • 3.5 ounces smoked turkey strips
  • 1.1 pounds ground meat mixture (beef/lamb)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp chili paste
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 3 tbsp double concentrated tomato paste
  • 3 1/2 cups puréed tomatoes
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1.5 ounces grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare Vegetables: Finely chop the yellow onion, mince the garlic cloves, and dice the carrot and celery into small pieces to ensure they cook evenly and release maximum flavor.
  2. Boil Water for Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. This will be used later to cook the spaghetti according to package instructions.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot over medium heat, combine the olive oil and unsalted butter. Once melted, add the prepared onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
  4. Add Smoked Turkey: Stir in the smoked turkey strips and cook for 3 minutes to release their unique flavor into the mix.
  5. Brown Ground Meat: Add the ground beef and lamb mixture to the pot. Break the meat apart with a spoon and cook until browned thoroughly. Season with salt, black pepper, and sugar to enhance the savory notes.
  6. Incorporate Chili Paste: Stir in the chili paste well to distribute the spicy heat evenly throughout the meat mixture.
  7. Add Beef Broth and Simmer: Pour in the beef broth and allow the sauce to simmer for 3 minutes, which helps meld the flavors together.
  8. Introduce Tomato Elements: Mix in the tomato paste, puréed tomatoes, and add the bay leaves. Let the sauce simmer gently for at least 15 minutes to develop a deep, rich flavor.
  9. Cook Spaghetti: While the sauce simmers, cook the spaghetti in the boiling salted water as per the package directions. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency later.
  10. Finish Sauce: Remove the bay leaves from the sauce. Stir the whole milk and grated Parmesan cheese into the meat sauce until it becomes smooth and creamy, balancing the heat and acidity.
  11. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked spaghetti into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water gradually as needed to achieve your desired saucy consistency.
  12. Serve: Plate the spaghetti Bolognese while hot, and optionally sprinkle extra grated Parmesan on top for added flavor and richness.

Notes

  • For extra heat, increase the chili paste quantity according to your taste.
  • You can substitute the ground beef and lamb mixture with just beef or any preferred ground meat.
  • Reserve some pasta water to ensure the sauce coats the spaghetti smoothly without being too thick or too thin.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
  • For a dairy-free option, omit the butter and milk and substitute Parmesan with a vegan cheese alternative.

Find it online: https://cookedbygrace.com/spicy-spaghetti-bolognese-recipe/