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4.5 from 30 votes

Spaghetti Bolognese

The whole family is going to love this slimming-friendly Spaghetti Bolognese! A truly rich Bolognese sauce that’s versatile, delicious and suitable for freezing.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 461 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • Low calorie cooking spray
  • 1 large onion , finely chopped
  • 2 carrots , finely chopped
  • 2 large stalks of celery , finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves , minced
  • 500 g | 17oz lean beef mince 5% fat
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp granulated sweetener (optional)
  • 1 tsp garlic granules
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tbsp Italian herb mix (optional)
  • 680 g | 24oz passata preferably Passata Rustica
  • 400 g | 14oz tin chopped tomatoes crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 300 ml | 1 ⅓ cups hot vegetable stock
  • Small piece of Parmesan cheese rind (optional)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 
  • Large handful fresh basil chopped
  • Salt and pepper to season
To serve
  • 360 g | 12 ½ oz dried spaghetti or pasta of your choice
  • 2 tsp Salt for pasta water
  • grated parmesan optional
  • Chopped parsley or basil

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Spray a large deep sided frying pan or casserole dish with low calorie cooking spray.
  2. Add the onions, celery and carrots and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. If your pan gets too dry and sticks add a little vegetable stock.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for a couple of minutes.
  4. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with the back of a wooden spoon.
  5. Brown the mince for a few minutes then add the salt, sweetener, garlic granules, paprika and Italian herb mix.
  6. Stir in the tomato paste, passata and chopped tomatoes. Add the Worcestershire sauce, stock, Parmesan rind and bay leaves.
  7. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  8. Uncover the pan and cook for a further 10 minutes.
  9. Check your sauce, it should be thick and rich with most of the liquid absorbed. If it’s still watery you can continue to cook for a little longer.
  10. Discard the cheese rind and bay leaves. Stir in plenty of fresh basil and check the seasoning – adjust to your taste if needed.
  11. Bring a large pot of water to the boil and add salt. Cook the spaghetti until al dente then drain and transfer to a large bowl.
  12. Add a couple of ladlefuls of Bolognese sauce to the pasta and toss together to combine. Divide among bowls and serve with a little grated Parmesan (30 g is allowed as healthy extra a) and some chopped parsley.
Slow Cooker Bolognese
  1. To get the best flavour you will need to follow steps 1-5 and cook the vegetables and beef on the stove. Transfer them to your CrockPot and add the tomatoes, passata and paste.
  2. Stir in the vegetable stock, bay leaves and Parmesan rind and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours without opening the lid.
  3. Uncover turn heat to HIGH and cook for another hour so that the tomato sauce can thicken.

Notes

  • Freezing Bolognese SauceCool the sauce completely before freezing (or storing in fridge). Put in freezer containers, label and use within 4-6 months but ideally within 3. Defrost overnight in the fridge and make sure the sauce is hot all the way through before serving.
  • ––––––Please note I am not affiliated in any way with Slimming World or Weight Watchers.  
  • These plans are often updated in line with latest nutritional guidance and may change so for accurate information it is best to join as a member.
  • ––––––Nutritional information is always approximate, and will depend on quality of ingredients and serving sizes.

Nutrition Information

Calories 461kcal (23%) Carbohydrates 69g (23%) Protein 28g (56%) Fat 10g (15%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 54mg (18%) Sodium 1457mg (61%) Potassium 1256mg (36%) Fiber 7g (28%) Sugar 13g (26%) Vitamin A 4435IU (89%) Vitamin C 23.3mg (26%) Calcium 115mg (12%) Iron 6.4mg (36%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 461

% Daily Value*

Calories 461kcal 23%
Carbohydrates 69g 23%
Protein 28g 56%
Fat 10g 15%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 54mg 18%
Sodium 1457mg 61%
Potassium 1256mg 27%
Fiber 7g 28%
Sugar 13g 26%
Vitamin A 4435IU 89%
Vitamin C 23.3mg 26%
Calcium 115mg 12%
Iron 6.4mg 36%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.