Brilliant Bolognese Recipe

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This Brilliant Bolognese Recipe is a rich and hearty recipe, which is made with minced beef and smoked pancetta. It’s the perfect family dinner, ready in about 1 hour.

Brilliant Bolognese Ingredients

A simple, classic combination for a deeply flavorful sauce.

olive oil
500g higher-welfare minced beef
50g higher-welfare smoked pancetta
1 x 180g jar of Bolognese paste (e.g., Jamie Oliver’s)
1 x 400g tin of quality plum tomatoes
300g dried spaghetti
optional: Parmesan cheese, to serve

How To Make Brilliant Bolognese

A step-by-step guide to this easy and rich meat sauce.

Brown the Meats: Place a large casserole pan on a medium heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the mince, roughly chop and add the pancetta, and fry for 10 minutes, stirring regularly and breaking up the mince with a spoon until golden.
Build the Sauce: Stir in the Bolognese paste and fry for 1 minute until fragrant. Tip in the tinned tomatoes, breaking them up with the back of a spoon.
Simmer the Bolognese: Half-fill the empty tomato tin with water (about 200ml), swirl it around, and pour it into the pan. Bring to the boil, then cover and simmer gently on a low heat for 45 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the flavors have deepened. Add a splash more water if it becomes too thick.
Cook Pasta and Serve: About 10 minutes before the sauce is ready, cook the spaghetti in a large pan of boiling salted water according to the packet instructions. Drain the pasta, toss it with the sauce, and divide between bowls. Serve with a good grating of Parmesan cheese, if you like.

Recipe Tips

For the richest, most flavorful Bolognese every time.

How to get the richest flavor? Letting the sauce simmer for the full 45 minutes is key. This allows the flavors of the meat and tomatoes to meld and deepen, creating a truly rich sauce. For an even deeper flavor, you can let it simmer for up to 1.5 hours.
Can I add red wine? Yes! For a more traditional and richer flavor, a splash of red wine is a fantastic addition. After browning the meat, pour in about half a cup of red wine and let it bubble away completely before adding the tomatoes.
Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely. Bolognese is one of those magic dishes that tastes even better the next day. It’s the perfect recipe to make in a large batch for easy meals throughout the week.
Can I use a different type of mince? A 50/50 mix of beef and pork mince is very traditional in Italy and adds a wonderful richness and tenderness to the sauce.

What To Serve With Brilliant Bolognese

Classic accompaniments for this iconic Italian sauce.

This hearty and versatile sauce is a family favorite. It is perfect served with:

A generous grating of fresh Parmesan cheese
Warm, crusty garlic bread for mopping up the sauce
A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette
Fresh basil leaves for garnish

How To Store Brilliant Bolognese

This sauce is perfect for stocking your fridge and freezer.

Refrigerate: Let the sauce cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze: This sauce freezes beautifully. Portion the cooled sauce into freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently on the stovetop.

Brilliant Bolognese Nutrition Facts

An estimated guide per serving (sauce only).

Calories: 550 kcal
Carbohydrates: 20 g
Protein: 35 g
Fat: 35 g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

What is the secret to a good Bolognese?

The secret is time. Letting the sauce simmer gently for a good amount of time is what transforms it from a simple meat sauce into a rich, deeply flavorful Bolognese. Don’t rush the simmering process.

Can I cook Bolognese in a slow cooker?

Yes. Follow the steps to brown the meat and pancetta on the stovetop first, as this builds essential flavor. Then, transfer everything to your slow cooker, add the tomatoes and water, and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Can I add vegetables to this sauce?

Of course. A classic Italian u0022soffrittou0022 of finely chopped onion, carrot, and celery is the traditional base for Bolognese. You can sauté them in the pan after the pancetta and before adding the minced beef.

Try More Recipes:

Course: DinnerCuisine: Italian-InspiredDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

hour

Calories

550

kcal

A rich, hearty, and easy-to-make Bolognese sauce, simmered with beef and pancetta for a deep, authentic flavor that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

500g minced beef
50g smoked pancetta
1 x 180g jar Bolognese paste
1 x 400g tin plum tomatoes
300g dried spaghetti
Parmesan cheese (optional)
Olive oil, salt, pepper

Directions

In a large casserole pan, fry the mince and pancetta in olive oil for 10 minutes until golden.
Stir in the Bolognese paste and cook for 1 minute.
Add the tinned tomatoes, breaking them up, then add a tin’s worth of water (about 200ml).
Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer gently for 45 minutes until thickened.
Season to perfection with salt and pepper.
Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
Toss the pasta with the sauce and serve with grated Parmesan, if desired.

Notes

The gentle 45-minute simmer is key to developing a deep and complex flavor in the sauce.
For a richer sauce, deglaze the pan with a splash of red wine after browning the meat.
This sauce is perfect for making in a large batch and freezing for future meals.
Don’t be afraid to let the meat get some good color; this browning builds the foundation of flavor.