SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE RECIPE QUICK 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. On a chopping board, peel and finely chop the onions, garlic and carrots, then trim and finely chop the celery.
2. Pick and finely chop the rosemary leaves, then finely slice the bacon or pancetta.
3. Put a large saucepan on a medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil.
4. Add the bacon, rosemary, garlic and veg, then cook with the lid ajar for 10 to 15 minutes, or until softened and just turning golden, stirring occasionally.
5. Stir in the mince, turn the heat up to high and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, or until browned all over,stirring and breaking it up with a spoon as you go.
6. Add the tomatoes, tomato purée, vinegar and bay leaves.
7. Fill and boil the kettle.
8. Crumble in the stock cube and pour in 400ml boiling water.
9. Stir well, turn the heat up to high and bring to the boil.
10. Season with pepper, reduce to a low heat, then cover and simmer for around 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
11. Remove the lid and continue cooking for 15 to 20 minutes, or until thickened and reduced. Meanwhile...
12. Re-fill and boil the kettle.
13. Carefully fill a large pot three quarters of the way up with boiling water, add a tiny pinch of salt and bring back to the boil.
14. Add the spaghetti and cook according to packet instructions – you want to cook your pasta until it is al dente. This translates as ‘to the tooth’ and means that it should be soft enough to eat, but still have a bit of a bite and firmness to it. Use the timings on the packet instructions as a guide, but try some just before the time is up to make sure it’s perfectly cooked.
15. Using a microplane, finely grate the Parmesan cheese onto a clean chopping board (if using).
16. Once the spaghetti is done, ladle out and reserve a cup of cooking water and keep it to one side, then drain in a colander over the sink.
17. Taste the Bolognese sauce and season with a little more pepper or vinegar, if you think it needs it.
18. Carefully pick out and discard the bay leaves.
19. Put half the sauce into a container, leave to cool, then freeze for another day.
20. Stir the spaghetti into the remaining sauce, adding a splash of pasta water to loosen, if needed.
21. Divide between bowls and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese (if using), then serve.

Into a heated large saucepan, spray with 1 squirt of the oil spray, add the onions carrots, celery, garlic and fresh herbs, and cook over a gentle heat for approx 5 mins, stirring occasionally. Add the mushrooms, and cook for a further 5 mins, until all the vegetables are soft

Increase the heat to medium - high, add the beef mince & cook for a further 5 mins, stirring to break up any lumps of beef, until the beef is browned

Add the tomato puree, oregano, red wine, stock cube, canned tomatoes & cherry tomatoes, & season

Reduce the heat, cover and gently simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally

Add the lentils, and cook for a further 10 minutes

15 mins before the Bolognese is ready, cook the spaghetti according to the pack instructions

Serve the Bolognese onto of the spaghetti, with the grated parmesan, if using, and basil leaves