Spaghetti Bolognese Smoky Bacon Peas (Print)

Hearty spaghetti with bacon, peas, and a rich, smoky bolognese sauce—classic comfort with modern flair.

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta & Base

01 - 14 oz spaghetti
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 3.5 oz smoked bacon, diced
04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 medium carrot, finely diced
07 - 1 celery stalk, finely diced

→ Bolognese Sauce

08 - 1 pound ground beef or beef-pork mix
09 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
10 - 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
11 - 1/3 cup red wine (optional)
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Finish

15 - 1 cup green peas, fresh or frozen
16 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
17 - Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Boil spaghetti in a large pot of well-salted water until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add diced bacon and fry until crisp. Add onion, garlic, carrot, and celery, sautéing until vegetables are softened.
03 - Add ground beef to the pan and cook until deeply browned, breaking up any clumps. Stir in tomato paste, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. If using, deglaze with red wine, letting it reduce for a minute. Pour in crushed tomatoes and simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
04 - Stir in green peas for the final 5 minutes of simmering. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper.
05 - Add drained spaghetti to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if a looser sauce is desired. Plate and finish with grated Parmesan and fresh chopped basil or parsley.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Rich and hearty sauce perfect for chilly evenings
  • Simple enough for weeknight dinners but impressive for guests
  • Smoky bacon and sweet peas make every bite interesting
  • Flexible recipe with easy swaps for different diets
02 -
  • High in protein from both the beef and the bacon
  • Sneaks in vegetables for extra nutrition
  • Sauce improves after a night in the fridge making leftovers even better
03 -
  • Always brown bacon very well for full flavor
  • Take your time sautéing the soffritto vegetables do not rush this step
  • Frying the tomato paste with the meat before simmering deepens its flavor

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