Spaghetti bolognese is one of Britain’s favourite dishes, and rightly so. There’s nothing more comforting than a big bowl of saucy spaghetti doused in a thick layer of Parmesan and a little drizzle of olive oil. But to achieve a bolognese that will impress at the dinner table, it can often take hours of stewing and stirring and a big heap of washing-up.
But one recipe is perfect for loading the sauce with flavours and will allow you to have a stress-free and relaxing Friday as it only takes 20 minutes to prepare. The secret behind the recipe is the humble slow cooker. The kitchen gadget can be a great way to simmer away your dinner while you’re out at work, the gym, or simply want a night off.
There’s no complicated prep work either, simply a little bit of chopping and some quick frying to brown off the mince. Developed by RecipesFibre they say the small amount of cooking involved will leave you with “a cosy meal that’s both satisfying and fuss-free”.
They added: “This casserole combines the robust flavors of slow-simmered meat sauce and Italian herbs with irresistibly melty mozzarella and Parmesan.
“The slow cooker not only saves you time in the kitchen but also brings out a depth of flavour that tastes like you’ve been cooking for hours.”
With minimal ingredients it shouldn’t be too expensive either, the recipe calls for around 400g of beef mince, an onion, two cloves of garlic, one jar of tomato pasta sauce, two tins of chopped tomatoes, 200g of spaghetti and a couple of handfuls of grated mozzarella and Parmesan.
Method:
- Firstly in a large frying pan, brown off the mince and sweat off the diced onions for around six to eight minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are soft.
- Add the mixture into your slow cooker along with the jar of pasta sauce and two tins of tomatoes.
- Add seasoning, including salt, pepper, basil, oregano, garlic and chilli flakes.
- Next, snap the spaghetti in half and mix it into the slow cooker, ensuring they are completely covered.
- Sprinkle over most of the cheese (leaving some for later) and cook on a low heat for three to four hours, or until the spaghetti is cooked and the meat is tender.
- Stir the mixture around halfway through.
- Finally, 15 minutes before it’s done, sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top and let it melt.
Once the pasta is cooked, you’re ready to tuck in. The dish is perfectly fine on its own but pairs particularly well with a crisp green rocket salad with a handful of cherry tomatoes.
For those wanting to go full comfort food mode, a side of garlic bread to mop up the rich sauce may also be a good move.
