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Spaghetti Bolognese

Recipe by BBC Food
Serves
4 people
Prep and cook time
Prep: 30 mins - Cook: 30-60 mins

Ingredients 

  • 2 tbsp olive oil 
  • 400g/14oz beef mince 
  • 1 onion, diced 
  • 1 kg of frozen vegetables 
  • 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes 
  • 400ml/14fl oz stock (made from stock cube. Ideally beef, but any will do) 
  • 400g/14oz dried spaghetti 
  • salt and pepper 

Process

  1. Heat a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and once hot add the beef mince and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook the mince until well browned over a medium-high heat (be careful not to burn the mince. It just needs to be a dark brown colour). Once browned, transfer the mince to a bowl and set aside. 
  2. Add another tablespoon of oil to the saucepan you browned the mince in and turn the heat to medium. Add the onions and a pinch of salt and fry gently for 5-6 minutes, or until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the vegetable and any juices in the bowl back into the saucepan. 
  3. Add the tomatoes to the pan and stir well to mix. Pour in the stock, bring to a simmer and then reduce the temperature to simmer gently for 45 minutes, or until the sauce is thick and rich. Taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary. 
  4. When ready to cook the spaghetti, heat a large saucepan of water and add a pinch of salt. Cook according to the packet instructions. Once the spaghetti is cooked through, drain and add to the pan with the bolognese sauce. Mix well and serve. 

Tips

  • When you cook meat or chicken you can make stock from the bones. You can keep the stock and freeze.
  • The frozen stock can be used in this dish. 
  • This bolognese sauce can be cooked in advance and frozen. Leave to cool completely then pop in a freezer-proof container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. 
  • Chopping the vegetables really small and adding them into the dish is a great way to have a balanced meal with the family. It can use any vegetables available at home. 

Swaps

Meat

Kidney beans or chickpeas

Beef mince

Other type of meat