Gordon Ramsay Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

This Gordon Ramsay Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe is a rich and meaty recipe, which is made with lean ground beef and diced pancetta. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about an hour.

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Gordon Ramsay Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe Ingredients

• 1 tbsp water
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 450g (1 lb) lean ground beef
• 115g (4 oz) diced pancetta
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil, as needed
• 1 tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• 175ml (¾ cup) dry red wine
• 1 beef bouillon cube, crushed
• 1 (800g / 28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• ⅓ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 450g (1 lb) dried spaghetti
• 30g (1 oz) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

How To Make Gordon Ramsay Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe

1. Prepare the Beef: In a medium bowl, mix the water and baking soda together. Add the ground beef and mix gently with your hands to combine. Set aside to rest for 15 minutes. This helps to tenderize the meat.
2. Cook Pancetta and Aromatics: Place a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced pancetta and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring, until it becomes crispy and has rendered its fat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic (and a drizzle of olive oil if the pot is too dry). Cook until the onion has softened.
3. Brown the Beef: Add the rested ground beef to the pot. Season with black pepper. Break up the meat with a spoon and cook until it is thoroughly browned.
4. Build the Flavor Base: Stir in the tomato paste, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the tomato paste to darken slightly, which deepens the flavor.
5. Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the dry red wine and add the crushed beef bouillon cube. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Allow the wine to bubble and reduce by about half.
6. Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the can of crushed tomatoes and the heavy cream. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 15–20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
7. Cook the Pasta: While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
8. Combine and Finish: Drain the spaghetti and add it directly to the pot with the Bolognese sauce. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated in a silky, clinging sauce.
9. Serve: Divide the spaghetti Bolognese among plates. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and a pinch of red pepper flakes, if desired.

Recipe Tips

• Why treat the beef with baking soda? The baking soda mixture tenderizes the ground beef by raising its pH, which helps it retain moisture and results in a much softer, more succulent texture in the final sauce.
• How do you get the richest flavor? Layering is key. Crisping the pancetta first, then browning the beef, and finally cooking down the tomato paste before adding liquids builds a deep, complex flavor base that you can’t achieve by just mixing everything together at once.
• What is the secret to a silky sauce? The starchy pasta water is essential. It helps the sauce emulsify and cling perfectly to every strand of spaghetti, creating a restaurant-quality silky texture instead of a watery sauce.
• Can I make this sauce ahead of time? Absolutely. Bolognese sauce tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to marry. You can make a large batch and store it for later.

What To Serve With Spaghetti Bolognese

While a meal in itself, Bolognese is even better with these classic sides:

• Crusty garlic bread
• A simple Italian green salad with a light vinaigrette
• Sautéed spinach or green beans
• A glass of the same red wine used in the sauce

How To Store Bolognese Sauce

• Refrigerate: Allow the sauce to cool completely. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Bolognese freezes exceptionally well. Let it cool, then transfer to freezer-safe bags or containers. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Spaghetti Bolognese Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 600kcal
• Carbohydrates: 75g
• Protein: 35g
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 10g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

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