Simple Bolognese

Name: Simple Bolognese
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: 1 packet of beef mince (could replace with lamb); 1 tin chopped tomatoes or jar of passata; salt and pepper; 1 finely chopped onion; 3 garlic cloves; 2 tsp dried (or fresh if you have it) basil; dried/fresh oregano; parsley and thyme; rosemary (great with lamb mince); 1 glass red wine; 2 rashers of bacon; 100g chopped mushrooms (any kind); 1 diced pepper; 1 grated carrot; tsp sugar/syrup; tsp bbq sauce; tsp balsamic vinegar; 2 stock cubes; tbsp tomato puree; tsp soy sauce; chilli flakes; sun dried tomatoes; 2 bay leaves; parmesan or cheddar cheese (grated)

Over a year ago 4,678 views

Cook: 45 mins

Serves: 6

Main Course 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Food ❄️ Winter

Ingredients

1 packet of beef mince (could replace with lamb)
1 tin chopped tomatoes or jar of passata
salt and pepper
1 finely chopped onion
3 garlic cloves
2 tsp dried (or fresh if you have it) basil
dried/fresh oregano
parsley and thyme
rosemary (great with lamb mince)
1 glass red wine
2 rashers of bacon
100g chopped mushrooms (any kind)
1 diced pepper
1 grated carrot
tsp sugar/syrup
tsp bbq sauce
tsp balsamic vinegar
2 stock cubes
tbsp tomato puree
tsp soy sauce
chilli flakes
sun dried tomatoes
2 bay leaves
parmesan or cheddar cheese (grated)

Accompaniment

Description

Perfect for students on a budget or feeding families, easy to cook, tastes amazing, many of the ingredients are optional use whatever you have in the cupboard!

Method

1
1. Brown the mince (and bacon) in a large pan, I normally use a wok and never use oil. Then put to one side in a dish. Deglaze the pan with a little of the wine (if using) and add to the meat.

2. Brown the onions and garlic in the same pan in a tiny amount of oil, then add the mushrooms and/or pepper if using.

3. Add the rest of the wine to the pan and bring to the boil. Put the meat back in the pan.

4. Add the tomatoes/passata, stir and season with salt and pepper.

5. Add any herbs (I suggest at least using basil and oregano), and all other ingredients except the stock cubes at this stage.

6. Look at how liquidy your bolognese sauce is, and make up the stock cubes (or just use hot water) to add to the sauce until it is runnier than you would normally serve it.

7. Leave to simmer for 15 minutes to 1 hour.

8. Just before serving stir through a small handful of grated parmesan or cheddar cheese (if using).

Serve with pasta (any kind) or jacket potatoes. Topped with more cheese.

You can pretty much use anything you like in this sauce, try adding extra BBQ sauce for a smokey hit, or use smoked bacon in the recipe.

Chef's Tips

- Add a tin of kidney beans and some fresh chilli for a spicy alternative to bolognese.

- Use lean mince or at least drain the fat off your meat, it's healthier and tastes better too!

- Be careful with your seasoning and keep tasting the sauce, you don't want to go voerboard with salt.

- The sugar or syrup is to balance out the acidity of the tomatoes, but if you're using a grated carrot then that provides natural sweetness too.