I cooked: Spaghetti bolognese

Bolognese sauce is a meat-based sauce originating from Bologna, Italy. (Or some of you may know it by its French name, bolognaise)

This recipe is extremely easy to make, even on days when you get home and feel too tired to think about cooking.

Spaghetti bolognese

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Serves 4

Ingredients

4 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, chopped

300g minced beef (or pork)

2 cloves garlic, diced

2 carrots, diced and sliced

1 stick celery, chopped

2 tsp thyme

1 sprig rosemary

1 tsp dried basil

1 tbsp soy sauce

400g can tomatoes

1 tsp brown sugar

2 tbsp tomato puree

Freshly ground salt and pepper

300g spaghetti pasta

Parmesan cheese (optional)

1. In a large frying pan, gently fry the onion in the oil until soft.

2. Add the minced beef together with the garlic and stir fry until it browns.

3. Add the carrots, celery, herbs and soy sauce.

4. Heat through, then add the can tomatoes, sugar and tomato puree.

5. Bring to the boil and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring ocassionally.

6. Meanwhile, in a separate pan, boil the spaghetti in plenty of water with a little salt and oil according to the instructions on the pack. When the spaghetti is cooked 'al dente', drain.

7. Season the sauce with salt and pepper.

8. Divide the cooked spaghetti between four large plates/bowls and top with the bolognese sauce.

9. Garnish with some black pepper and serve immediately. You may also sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top if you like.