There’s something truly comforting about a bowl of spaghetti or penne Bolognese. It’s a timeless classic and it is packed with rich, savoury flavours with a sauce that clings perfectly to every strand of pasta. This recipe adds hidden veggies, as well as a touch of spice and fresh herbs consequently making it an unforgettable dish your whole family will love.
Whether you’re making a cozy weeknight dinner or prepping for a special pasta night, this recipe has everything you need for success. Let’s dive into why you’ll love this version, along with tips and tricks to take your Bolognese to the next level.
Why You Will Love This Bolognese Recipe
1. Rich and Flavorful Sauce: With a base of passata, beef stock, and Worcestershire sauce, every bite is bursting with bold, savoury flavors.
2. Kid-Friendly Veggies: Blitzed or grated carrots and celery add nutrition without the kids even noticing!
3. Customisable Spice: Adjust the chili flakes to suit your heat preference.
4. A Crowd-Pleaser: This classic dish never fails to impress, whether you’re feeding picky eaters or pasta enthusiasts.
5. Quick to Make: While it tastes like it’s been simmering for hours, this recipe comes together in under an hour.
You Will Need
Ingredients
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 large onion, blitzed or grated
• 3 stalks celery, blitzed or grated
• 1 large carrot (or 2 small carrots), blitzed or grated
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 500 grams beef mince
• 2 teaspoons Italian herbs
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to your spice preference)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 beef stock sachet (or cube)
• ½ cup water
• 700ml passata
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil
• Pasta of choice
• ⅓ cup Parmesan (more if needed, because who doesn’t love Parmesan?)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Veggies
• Blitz or grate the onion, celery, and carrot. This not only speeds up cooking but also makes the veggies disappear into the sauce—perfect for picky eaters.
2. Sauté the Base
• Heat your Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and the bay leaf.
• Add the blitzed onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté until they begin to brown slightly, enhancing the flavour base.
3. Build the Bolognese
• Add crushed garlic and cook until fragrant.
• Stir in the beef mince, breaking up any lumps as it browns. Allow the water from the mince to evaporate, then let it develop a bit of color.
4. Add Seasonings and Sauce
• Stir in Italian herbs, oregano, chili flakes, and paprika. Adjust the chili based on your spice preference.
• Mix in the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce , for depth of flavor.
• Add the beef stock, ½ cup water, and passata. Stir well to incorporate everything. Add a dash of water if needed to loosen the sauce.
5. Simmer and Finish
• Let the sauce simmer gently for about 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Toss in some fresh basil for a burst of freshness.
6. Cook the Pasta
• Cook your pasta of choice according to the package instructions. Reserve a bit of pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
7. Serve and Garnish
• Toss the pasta in the sauce or serve the sauce on top. Finish with freshly grated Parmesan and an extra sprinkle of basil.
Tips for the Perfect Bolognese
1. Build Layers of Flavor: Browning the vegetables and mince adds a deep, caramelized flavour to the sauce.
2. Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh basil at the end adds brightness to the rich sauce.
3. Reserve Pasta Water: Mixing a little starchy pasta water into the sauce helps it cling beautifully to the pasta.
4. Make It Ahead: Bolognese tastes even better the next day as the flavours continue to develop.
5. Sneak in Veggies: Blitzing the carrots and celery is a great way to add nutrition without changing the texture.
Why Does this Bolognese Recipe Work
This spaghetti Bolognese balances convenience and flavour. By grating or blitzing the vegetables, you save time on chopping while enhancing the sauce’s texture and nutritional value. The combination of Italian herbs, Worcestershire sauce, and passata creates a rich, authentic flavour that tastes like it’s been slow-cooked for hours.
Pasta Tips for the Perfect Dish
1. Choose the Right Pasta: Spaghetti is a classic, but this sauce works well with tagliatelle, fettuccine, or even penne.
2. Salt Your Water: Add a generous amount of salt to your pasta water—it should taste like the sea!
3. Cook Al Dente: Slightly undercook your pasta so it finishes cooking in the sauce.
4. Mix, Don’t Dump: Toss the pasta in the sauce rather than serving it on top for a more cohesive dish.
FAQs About Spaghetti Bolognese
FAQ’s About Bolognese Sauce
Q: Can I use another type of mince?
A: Absolutely! Ground lamb, chicken, or even pork work well as substitutes.
Q: Can this be made vegetarian?
A: Yes! Swap the mince for lentils or plant-based mince, and use vegetable stock instead of beef stock.
Q: How long does this sauce keep?
A: Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
This Bolognese recipe is a deliciously simple way to bring a taste of Italy to your table. It’s comforting, versatile, and perfect for any occasion. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a meal to impress, this recipe delivers every time.
So grab your ingredients, put on your favorite music, and get cooking—you’re about to create something unforgettable!
Happy Cooking
Pin this recipe to your favorite pasta board or share it with friends who love a good bowl of spaghetti. Let me know how yours turns out in the comments below!
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Ingredients
Instructions
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Blitz or grate the onion, celery, and carrots.
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Heat your Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and the bay leaf.
-
Add the blitzed onion, celery, and carrots.
-
Sauté until they begin to brown slightly, enhancing the flavour base.
-
Add crushed garlic and cook until fragrant.
-
Stir in the beef mince, breaking up any lumps as it browns.
-
Allow the water from the mince to evaporate, then let it develop a bit of colour.
-
Stir in Italian herbs, oregano, chili flakes, and paprika. Adjust the chili based on your spice preference.
-
Mix in the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce for depth of flavour.
-
Add the beef stock, ½ cup water, and passata. Stir well to incorporate everything.
-
Add a dash of water if needed to loosen the sauce.
-
Let the sauce simmer gently for about 20 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld together.
-
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Toss in some fresh basil for a burst of freshness.
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Cook your pasta of choice according to the package instructions. Reserve a bit of pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
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Toss the pasta in the sauce or serve the sauce on top.
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Finish with freshly grated Parmesan and an extra sprinkle of basil.
I can smell it already! Put it on our menu list this week!
I did! Hope you enjoyed it.
My favourite comfort food, so divine 😍
Thank you Izadora, a classic that will always be loved.
Love your work. Photography and recipes amazing. We eat with our eyes as well.
Thank you Jo for the inspiring words.
Great flavors and super quick! Love it!
Thank you Sophie, we love hearing from you.
Made it and it was delicious!
Always tried and tested recipes! Thank you!!! 🙏
You are always welcome. Thank you for stopping by.
I used to hate making this, but since I’ve tried it your way.. absolutely delicious!!
Delicous Pri! My kids have said to keep this recipe!