Lazy Man's Soutzoukakia a Greek Style Bolognese

Transform your weeknight dinner game with "Lazy Man's Soutzoukakia: A Greek-Style Bolognese," a comforting fusion of traditional flavors and effortless preparation. This rich, aromatic dish combines savory ground beef with warm spices like cumin, cinnamon, and paprika, all simmered in a luscious tomato and red wine sauce. Inspired by the classic Greek soutzoukakia meatballs but reimagined as a streamlined pasta sauce, it's perfect for busy cooks craving bold Mediterranean flavors without the hassle. Toss it with your favorite spaghetti, sprinkle on fresh parsley and tangy kefalotyri or Parmesan, and enjoy a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal in just under an hour. Perfect for lovers of Greek cuisine or anyone seeking a unique twist on classic bolognese, this dish delivers big flavor with minimal effort!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams ground beef
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
• 400 grams canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 120 milliliters dry red wine
• 120 milliliters water
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 400 grams spaghetti or your favorite pasta
• 0 to taste salt
• 0 to taste ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
• 50 grams grated Parmesan or kefalotyri cheese (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, cinnamon, and paprika, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon.

Step 5

Pour in the red wine, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze it. Let it simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, oregano, and bay leaf.

Step 7

Season with salt and pepper to taste, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let the sauce simmer gently for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors meld together.

Step 8

While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Drain and set aside.

Step 9

Once the sauce is ready, discard the bay leaf. Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce or serve the sauce ladled over the pasta.

Step 10

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan or kefalotyri cheese, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1854.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2676.4

Total Fat 150.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 51.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 394.0mg	0%
Sodium 4003.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 186.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.8g	0%
Total Sugars 34.8g
Protein 136.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 894.0mg	0%
Iron 21.2mg	0%
Potassium 3693.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.2%

Protein: 20.6%

Carbs: 28.2%