Hearty Spaghetti Bolognese for a Crowd
This Hearty Spaghetti Bolognese recipe is a perfect solution for large gatherings, whether you’re feeding a crowd at a community event, a family reunion, or a gathering of friends. Using lean ground beef as the base, this robust sauce combines diced tomatoes, rich tomato paste, and a medley of spices to create a savory and filling meal. The addition of sautéed onions and a hint of sweetness from the sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, resulting in a deliciously comforting dish. Serve over perfectly cooked spaghetti for a satisfying meal that's sure to please even the largest appetites!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
90% lean ground beef
16 lbs (browned and crumbled)
canned tomatoes, diced
25 1/2 lbs (drained)
tomato paste
11 5/8 lbs (none)
water
6 lbs (for sauce)
onions, dry peeled, chopped
4 lbs (chopped)
granulated sugar
7 ounces (none)
salt
3 3/8 ounces (none)
garlic powder
1 5/8 ounces (none)
sweet basil, crushed
1/2 ounce (none)
ground thyme
1/2 ounce (none)
oregano, crushed
1/3 ounce (none)
black pepper
1/4 ounce (none)
whole bay leaves
8 (none)
boiling water
80 lbs (for cooking spaghetti)
spaghetti
12 lbs (dried)
salt
2 1/2 ounces (for boiling water)
Instructions
1
In a large steam-jacketed kettle or stock pot, cook the ground beef over medium heat. Stir constantly to break it apart and ensure even cooking until it’s browned and no longer pink (CCP: 155°F or higher).
2
Drain or skim off any excess fat from the cooked beef to ensure a leaner sauce.
3
Stir in the diced canned tomatoes, tomato paste, water, chopped onions, granulated sugar, salt, garlic powder, crushed basil, thyme, oregano, pepper, and bay leaves. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
4
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 1 hour, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
5
Check the temperature of the sauce (CCP: Temperature must reach 140°F or higher) and adjust as necessary.
6
Before serving, ensure to remove the bay leaves to enhance the sauce's texture and flavor.
7
Keep the sauce warm until ready to serve (CCP: Hold for service at 140°F or higher).
8
While the sauce is cooking, bring 80 lbs of water to a rolling boil in a separate large pot. Add 2 1/2 ounces of salt to the boiling water.
9
Slowly add the spaghetti to the boiling water while stirring constantly to avoid clumping. Allow the water to return to a boil.
10
Cook the spaghetti for 14 to 18 minutes, stirring occasionally until it is tender but not overcooked. Drain thoroughly before serving.
11
Serve the sauce generously over the spaghetti and enjoy a comforting meal with family and friends!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Spaghetti Bolognese for a Crowd?
It is a robust meat sauce recipe featuring lean ground beef, diced tomatoes, and a variety of spices, designed for large gatherings such as reunions or community events.
How much 90% lean ground beef is required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 16 lbs of 90% lean ground beef, which is browned and crumbled.
How many pounds of diced canned tomatoes are used?
You will need 25 1/2 lbs of drained, diced canned tomatoes.
What is the weight of the tomato paste needed for the sauce?
The recipe calls for 11 5/8 lbs of tomato paste to achieve a rich sauce consistency.
How much water is added specifically to the sauce mixture?
6 lbs of water are added to the sauce during preparation.
How many pounds of onions should be chopped for the recipe?
You should use 4 lbs of dry peeled, chopped onions.
What is the purpose of adding granulated sugar to the sauce?
A hint of sugar is added to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and create a more rounded flavor profile.
How much salt is used in the sauce mixture?
The sauce requires 3 3/8 ounces of salt.
What quantity of garlic powder is included in the bolognese?
The recipe includes 1 5/8 ounces of garlic powder.
How much sweet basil is added to the recipe?
1/2 ounce of crushed sweet basil is used for seasoning.
What is the measurement for ground thyme in this dish?
The recipe calls for 1/2 ounce of ground thyme.
How much oregano is used in the sauce?
1/3 ounce of crushed oregano is added to the sauce mixture.
What quantity of black pepper is recommended?
1/4 ounce of black pepper is used to add a subtle heat.
How many whole bay leaves are used?
The recipe uses 8 whole bay leaves to flavor the sauce.
At what temperature is the beef safely cooked (CCP)?
The ground beef must be cooked until it reaches a temperature of 155°F or higher.
How long should the sauce simmer once it has reached a boil?
The sauce should be covered and simmered for approximately 1 hour, stirring frequently.
What is the required holding temperature for service?
The sauce should be held for service at a temperature of 140°F or higher.
How much water is needed to boil the large quantity of spaghetti?
80 lbs of boiling water is required to cook the 12 lbs of spaghetti.
How many pounds of spaghetti are used for this crowd-sized recipe?
The recipe uses 12 lbs of dried spaghetti.
How much salt should be added to the boiling pasta water?
2 1/2 ounces of salt should be added to the 80 lbs of boiling water.
How long should the spaghetti cook to reach the desired tenderness?
The spaghetti should cook for 14 to 18 minutes until it is tender.
What should be done with the beef after it is browned?
You should drain or skim off any excess fat to ensure the sauce remains lean.
Why should you stir the spaghetti constantly when adding it to water?
Stirring constantly as you add the pasta helps prevent the noodles from clumping together.
When should the bay leaves be removed from the sauce?
The bay leaves should be removed before serving to improve the texture and flavor of the dish.
What cooking equipment is suggested for preparing the sauce?
A large steam-jacketed kettle or a stock pot is recommended for cooking the meat and sauce.
What is the minimum temperature the sauce must reach during cooking?
The sauce must reach a temperature of 140°F or higher to be considered safe.
How much granulated sugar is used in the sauce?
7 ounces of granulated sugar are used in the mixture.
What type of onions are specified in this recipe?
The recipe specifies using 4 lbs of dry peeled, chopped onions.
Is the sauce covered or uncovered while it simmers for an hour?
The sauce should be kept covered while it simmers on low heat.
What are the primary tags associated with this recipe?
The tags include spaghetti, meat sauce, bolognese, ground beef, large batch cooking, pasta, comfort food, family meal, and crowd-pleaser.