Is Spaghetti Bolognese an Italian traditional recipe?

Spaghetti bolognese being an italian recipe is a common link in every mind. But is it true?

Solenn Heuzé
January 17, 2022

Since time immemorial, every country claims to have the real traditional pasta Bolognese recipe. That is why many recipes are available on internet.
When we talk about pasta Bolognese, everyone directly have in mind; a road trip on an iconic vespa piaggio to discover the Italian landscape. But did this recipe really come from Italy?

Where did Spaghetti Bolognese come from?

Spaghetti Bolognese, inspired by the Italian region, Bologna

Bologna is an Italian city located in the north-east of Italy. Its in this city, that a traditional Bolognese recipe has been cooked, ragù alla bolognese. The ragù alla bolognese is well recognizable because its tagliatelle’s pasta with a special sauce made with beef, carrot, onion, celery, wine, tomato concentrate, etc. If you want to cook this recipe, patient will be needed. because ragù alla bolognese needs a long and slow cooking process like Jean Hénaff’s traditional pork rillettes.

The two version of the spaghetti bolognese

  1. The first version is that the rumor about the pasta Bolognese coming from Italy has been widespread during the 2nd World War. The British and American soldiers went in Bologna, Italy, where they discover the ragù alla bolognese. Then, back home, they wanted to re-do the ragù alla bolognese by mixing together tomato sauce, meat and common pasta, that are the time, were spaghetti.
  2. The second version would tend to say that it was the Italian immigrants in America who “invented” this dish by consuming inexpensive and easy to keep such as dry spaghetti with a homemade sauce made with common ingredients.

Spaghetti Bolognese became popular in France from the 1930s and spread to all the countries of Europe.


Spaghetti bolognese could be revisited on lot of different way such as by adding Hénaff Pork Pâté or Tomato basil and rosemary spread.

Solenn Heuzé

Gastronomy lover and 100% passionate about Brittany, France! I'm part of the Boutique de France's adventure since the beginning and proud to put forward our gastronomic culture!