Brilliant Bolognese Recipe

This Brilliant Bolognese is a cosy, one-pot pasta situation with rich beef, smoky pancetta, and that deep, slow-cooked tomato thing that just… works. You don’t need much — a jar of paste, tinned tomatoes, maybe a bit of Parmesan. Budget-friendly, freezer-friendly, tastes like you tried harder than you did.

Ingredients Needed

For the Filling:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 500g higher-welfare minced beef
• 50g smoked pancetta, chopped
• 1 x 180g jar of Bolognese paste (any decent one)
• 1 x 400g tin quality plum tomatoes
• 300ml water

For Assembling:

• 300g dried spaghetti
• Optional: Parmesan cheese, grated
• Salt + black pepper, to season

How To Make Brilliant Bolognese

1. Cook the Meat: Heat olive oil in a big pan. Medium heat. Add the mince. Chop and stir as it browns. Chuck in the pancetta. Cook both for 10 mins ‘til golden and a bit crispy.
2. Add the Flavour: Stir in the Bolognese paste — let it sizzle for a minute to wake it up. Tip in the tinned tomatoes. Break them up with the back of your spoon. Add 300ml of water.
3. Simmer the Sauce: Bring it up to a boil. Then cover and drop the heat. Let it bubble gently for 45 mins. Or whack it in the oven at 180°C for an hour if you’re multitasking.
4. Cook the Pasta: When the sauce is nearly ready, boil the spaghetti in salted water. Follow the packet — don’t overcook it. Drain well.
5. Serve Hot: Toss the pasta through the sauce. Season to taste. Plate up, add Parmesan if you like. A green salad on the side wouldn’t hurt either.

Why I Love This Recipe

This was one of the first meals I cooked for myself that actually felt like dinner. Not just “food to eat,” but proper comfort food. You can smell it from the hallway. It’s forgiving, it freezes well, and it makes you feel like someone’s Nonna even if you’ve got zero Italian in you.

Recipe Tips

• Let the meat brown properly before adding anything else
• Use plum tomatoes, not chopped — better flavour
• If sauce gets too thick, just splash in some pasta water or a bit more water
• Taste and season after it’s simmered
• Don’t skip the pancetta — it gives smoky depth
• Grate Parmesan fresh if you can, not the powdered stuff
• Let the sauce sit off the heat for 5 mins before serving

How To Store Brilliant Bolognese

• At Room Temperature: Serve straight away. Don’t leave out for more than an hour.
• In the Fridge: Cool completely. Store in airtight container. Keeps 3–4 days.
• In the Freezer:,Freeze in portions. Use freezer bags or containers. Lasts up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Microwave or pan on low. Add a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: ~560
• Carbs: 45g
• Protein: 30g
• Fat: 28g
• Sugar: 6g
• Fibre: 4g
• Sodium: Moderate

Let’s Answer a Few Questions! (FAQs)

• Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
  A: Yep — sub lentils or veggie mince. And skip the pancetta.
• Q: Can I cook the sauce longer?
  A: Absolutely. Low and slow only makes it better.
• Q: What if I don’t have Bolognese paste?
  A: Use tomato purée and a few dried herbs. Add garlic and onion if you’ve got them.
• Q: Can I serve with a different pasta?
  A: Of course — tagliatelle, rigatoni, even penne. Go wild.