Gluten-Free Spaghetti Bolognese

Ingredients

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• 1.5 lbs ground beef or turkey
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes Shop
• 0.5 cup GF red wine (optional)
• 1 cup GF beef or vegetable broth Shop
• 2 tbsp GF tomato paste Shop
• 1 tsp dried oregano Shop
• 0.5 tsp dried basil Shop
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 12 oz gluten-free spaghetti

Instructions

1. 1 Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the ground beef or turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is browned and no pink remains, about 8-10 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
2. 2 Add the finely chopped onion to the pot and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
3. 3 Pour in the optional GF red wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer and reduce by about half, which should take approximately 3-5 minutes. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, GF beef or vegetable broth, GF tomato paste, dried oregano, and dried basil. Season with salt and black pepper.
4. 4 Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 20 minutes, or up to an hour, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and deepen, creating a rich, complex sauce. The sauce should thicken slightly.
5. 5 While the sauce simmers, cook the gluten-free spaghetti according to package directions until al dente, typically 8-12 minutes. Drain the pasta well. Serve the hearty Bolognese sauce generously over the cooked gluten-free spaghetti.

Nutrition (per serving)

Tips & Notes

• Spread the meat in the hot pot and let it brown before breaking it up. Browned meat gives the sauce depth; meat that is stirred constantly turns gray and watery.
• Simmer the sauce toward the longer end of step 4 if you have time. Forty-five minutes to an hour softens the tomatoes and lets the wine mellow.
• Gluten-free spaghetti softens quickly after draining. Time it to finish with the sauce, toss them together right away, and loosen with a splash of pasta water.

Common questions