SIMPLE BOLOGNESE RECIPE RECIPES

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4.
2. Peel and finely chop the garlic and onions, pick and finely chop the rosemary, then finely slice the bacon.
3. Heat a splash of oil in a casserole pan on a medium heat, add the bacon, rosemary, garlic and onion and cook for 5 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the minced beef, breaking it apart with the back of a spoon, then cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until starting to brown, then pour in the wine. Leave to bubble and cook away.
5. Meanwhile, drain and tip the sun-dried tomatoes into a food processor, blitz to a paste, then add to the pan with the tomatoes. Stir well, break the plum tomatoes apart a little.
6. Cover with a lid then place in the oven for 1 hour, removing the lid and giving it a stir after 30 minutes – if it looks a little dry at this stage, add a splash of water to help it along.
7. About 10 minutes before the time is up, cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water according to the packet instructions.
8. Once the spaghetti is cooked, drain, reserving a mugful of cooking water, then return to the pan with a few spoons of Bolognese, a good grating of Parmesan and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
9. Toss to coat the spaghetti, loosening with a splash of cooking water, if needed.
10. Divide the spaghetti between plates or bowls, add a good spoonful of Bolognese to each, then serve with a fine grating of Parmesan.

1. Heat the oil in a deep frying pan. Add the onions and celery and fry over a high heat for about 3 minutes, until they are beginning to soften. Add the mince and brown quickly, breaking it up with two wooden spoons. Add the garlic and tomato purée and stir for a few seconds.

2. Add the tomatoes, stock, Worcestershire sauce and redcurrant jelly. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper. Cover and reduce the heat to a low simmer, then simmer for 30–35 minutes.

3. Melt the butter in a frying pan, add the mushrooms and fry them for a minute over a high heat. Put a lid on the pan and cook for 2 minutes to draw out any liquid, then remove the lid and fry for 2 minutes over a high heat to evaporate the liquid. Add the mushrooms and the thyme to the mince, then stir well.

4. Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C fan/Gas 3. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to the packet instructions – keep it al dente. Drain well and run under cold water. Stir the pasta into the mince, then taste to check the seasoning.

5. Spoon everything into the ovenproof dish. Sprinkle with both cheeses and bake in the oven for 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbling around the edges. Serve piping hot, with a green or tomato salad.

Prepare Ahead: Can be made and assembled ready to cook up to 6 hours ahead.

Freeze: Freezes well before baking.

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