Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Quick & Easy: This recipe comes together in just 35 minutes, so you can have a comforting, rich sauce on the table even on the busiest of nights.
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Creamy & Spicy: The addition of red curry paste gives the sauce a subtle heat and depth without overwhelming the traditional Bolognese flavor.
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Versatile: It’s great on any type of pasta, but especially perfect with varieties that can capture the sauce in their curves for that extra bite.
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Savory Depth: Searing the ground beef creates that caramelized flavor, mimicking the depth of slow-cooked meat in a fraction of the time.
Ingredients
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 pound ground beef
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1 large onion, chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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2 tablespoons red curry paste
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1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
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1/2 cup heavy cream
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Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
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Pasta of your choice (rigatoni, pappardelle, or fettuccine work great)
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Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
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Cook the Beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. This step creates a caramelized flavor that’s key to the depth of the sauce.
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Add Vegetables: Once the beef is browned, add the chopped onion and garlic. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, until the onion is softened.
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Incorporate Red Curry Paste: Stir in the red curry paste and cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing it to bloom and infuse the beef and onions with flavor.
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Add Tomatoes: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir everything together. Bring the mixture to a simmer, allowing it to cook for 5 minutes to let the flavors combine.
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Finish with Cream: Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, simmering for another 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If you want a richer flavor, feel free to add a touch more cream.
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Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook your pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and reserve a bit of pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency if needed.
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Combine: Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce, ensuring it’s well-coated. If the sauce feels too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
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Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil or parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 4 servings
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Preparation Time: 10 minutes
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Cooking Time: 25 minutes
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Total Time: 35 minutes
Variations
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Meat Swap: Swap ground beef for turkey or chicken for a lighter version of this dish.
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Vegetarian Version: Replace the meat with sautéed mushrooms or lentils to keep the rich texture and depth of flavor.
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Spicier: Add a sliced chili pepper or extra red curry paste for a more intense heat.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
Conclusion
This Spicy, Creamy Weeknight Bolognese is the perfect solution for a comforting, flavorful meal when you’re pressed for time. With the richness of cream, the heat of curry paste, and the savory flavor of ground beef, it’s an easy-to-make dish that’s sure to satisfy. Serve it with your favorite pasta and garnish with fresh herbs for an extra touch of goodness!
PrintSpicy, Creamy Weeknight Bolognese
This Spicy, Creamy Weeknight Bolognese is a quick and flavorful twist on the classic Italian dish. With ground beef, red curry paste, and rich cream, this sauce comes together in just 35 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want comfort food in a hurry.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian, Caribbean Fusion
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons red curry paste
1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup heavy cream
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Pasta:
Pasta of your choice (rigatoni, pappardelle, or fettuccine work great)
Optional Garnish:
Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Cook the Beef:
Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet.
Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.
Add Vegetables:
Once the beef is browned, add the chopped onion and garlic.
Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion is softened.
Incorporate Red Curry Paste:
Stir in the red curry paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Add Tomatoes:
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir everything together.
Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, letting the flavors combine.
Finish with Cream:
Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream.
Simmer for an additional 3-4 minutes, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook the Pasta:
While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to package instructions.
Drain and reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency, if needed.
Combine and Serve:
Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil or parsley.
Notes
Meat Swap: Swap ground beef for turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Vegetarian Version: Use sautéed mushrooms or lentils instead of meat to keep the rich texture.
Spicier: Add extra red curry paste or a sliced chili pepper for more heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg